University Officials from Six French West African Speaking Countries 

On March 10, 2004, Southern University System was host to University Officials from Senegal, Cote d’Ivoir, Mali, Niger, Chad and the Republic Benin. This visit was made possible by the Council for International Visitors of the Greater New Orleans, a private, non-profit organization that cooperates with U. S. State Department by planning professional programs for participants of their international visitors program. The delegation are current and emerging leaders who have been selected by U.S. Embassies abroad to visit a variety of communities across the United States and to meet with experts in their field of interest. 

The visit which began in Washington, D. C. with an overview of American Federalist System of government, discussions of major aspects of higher education planning and administration, and the philosophy of U. S. higher education from historical and contemporary perspectives followed with visits to other geographically diverse regions of the U.S. of which Southern University with its rich cultural background was one.  

During their visit to Southern University, Dr. Leon R. Tarver II, Southern University System President, Dr. Leodry Williams, Chancellor, Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center and Rtd. Judge Freddie Pitcher, Chancellor, Southern University Law Center brought greetings. The program also featured presentations by Mr. Philip Rodgers, Director of the Financial Aid Program, Dr. Barbara Carpenter, Director, Center for Service Learning, Dr. Mildred Smalley, Vice Chancellor for Research and Strategic Initiatives, Dr. Diola Bagayoko, Director, Timbuktu Academy and Ms. Julie Wessinger, Associate Director, Career Services all of the Baton Rouge Campus make presentations on their respective areas of official responsibility. Ms. Sheila Lewis of the Southern University Laboratory School also made presentations.  

Participants learned first hand about various mechanisms including grants, loans, and work programs which students may take advantage of in order to help finance their college education.