NATCHITOCHES – Gwen Fontenot has been named director of Electronic and Continuing Education at Northwestern State University.
As director of Electronic and Continuing Education, Fontenot will supervise and lead the departments of Electronic and Continuing education, enhance NSU’s dual enrollment program, noncredit offerings and non-traditional adult learner programs.
Laurie Morrow, executive director for Economic Development, Innovation and Outreach, said “We are so pleased to have Ms. Fontenot join our team. She has extensive expertise and experience working with adult learners as well as secondary dual enrollment programs. Gwen will be instrumental in providing insight and support that will expand relationships and initiatives to enhance enrollment growth.”
Fontenot has worked in higher education for 17 years, beginning her career as an admissions counselor for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She has held various positions within the state’s Community and Technical College System serving as college and career transitions coordinator, student success coordinator and most recently campus dean at Central Louisiana Technical Community Sabine Valley and Natchitoches campuses. Fontenot was instrumental in leading the Natchitoches campus through a realignment with Bossier Parish Community College in 2022. As campus dean, she fostered an environment that promoted excellence and inclusivity for student services and faculty instruction. Fontenot continued to carry out the mission by building and strengthening partnerships to ensure graduates were workforce ready.
“I am grateful to work with a team of skilled professionals at NSU and within a department that is constantly evolving,” said Fontenot. “Electronic and continuing education is vital to the university, and I plan to continue enriching processes and systems to ensure that faculty, staff and students have a supportive, positive experience.”
During her tenure with the community college, Fontenot established workforce and Work-Ready U programs in impoverished communities, secured grant funding to procure state of the art lab equipment to improve academic programs, and led the college in Our Louisiana 2020 goals by producing 270 credentialed graduates at a rural campus.
Fontenot earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Louisiana State University. In 2022 she completed Louisiana Leadership Academy, a progressive training program offered through the Louisiana Community and Technical College System.
