MONROE, LOUISIANA (RFD NEWS) — Dr. Carrie Castille stepped into the role of president last summer at the University of Louisiana-Monroe. Her background in rural development and education is already shaping her vision for the university and the surrounding region.
Castille began her career in Cooperative Extension and 4-H programs in South Louisiana, working closely with youth and farming families. She later held roles with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Rural Development office, and Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain. Castille also served in Washington, D.C., as president of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, becoming the first woman to lead the agency.
On campus, Castille focuses on building connections with students and is frequently seen attending sporting events or walking through campus. She says it is important to emphasize encouragement and opportunity to all her students.
“You can see they’re on the precipice. They’re destined for greatness,” she said. “You can see it in their faces and hear it in their questions.”
Castille believes the university’s biggest opportunity lies at the intersection of academics and real-world impact. She points to a growing focus on combining agriculture and health sciences.
“We are looking at the intersection between all of our health science programs and pharmacy,” Castille continued, “In this case we’re in one of the largest Ag regions in the country.”
Castille says the mission goes beyond education and that she wants to demonstrate how the university can lead and create an impact.
