Tim Hardy, chair of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) Board of Supervisors, and LCTCS President Monty Sullivan announced Dr. Heather Spillers Poole as the next chancellor of Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC), following the retirement announcement of longtime higher education leader Dr. Jimmy Sawtelle, who has served as chancellor for nearly a decade. In the days ahead, a coordinated transition plan will be implemented to ensure a smooth leadership handoff and maintain momentum for the college’s students, faculty, staff, and community partners. Final approval of Dr. Poole’s appointment will be considered by the LCTCS Board of Supervisors at its October 8, 2025, meeting.
As with every leadership search, the process began with conversations across the college and with community stakeholders. During these recent conversations, the people of Central Louisiana voiced strong pride in the comprehensive technical community college that has become a cornerstone of education and opportunity in the region. They urged the Board to sustain that momentum by selecting a leader who understands the institution, the region, and the community it serves.
After careful consideration, it became clear that Dr. Poole is the right leader at the right time for CLTCC. She has distinguished herself as a leader in many different venues, always touting the importance of the organization’s mission.
A Louisiana native and respected higher education leader, Dr. Poole brings more than 25 years of experience spanning statewide policy, campus administration, workforce development, and student success initiatives. She currently serves as executive vice chancellor of academic affairs and student services and director of foundation relations at CLTCC. Over the past decade, she has played a key role in advancing the college’s mission, expanding its reach across the region, and positioning CLTCC as a hub for innovation, workforce training, and economic development in Central Louisiana.
Before joining CLTCC, Dr. Poole held senior leadership roles as executive director and dean of the Learning Center for Rapides Parish, assistant vice chancellor of enrollment services at Louisiana State University of Alexandria, and assistant commissioner of assessment and economic development at the Louisiana Board of Regents. Over the course of her career, she has partnered with state and national organizations to develop policies that expanded college access, improved enrollment, and strengthened statewide completion goals along with dual-enrollment programs that have enabled thousands of high school students to earn college credit while preparing them for higher education and future careers.
At CLTCC, Dr. Poole has been instrumental in expanding academic programs aligned with Louisiana’s workforce needs, forging new industry partnerships, and improving student services to enhance retention and completion. Her leadership has strengthened CLTCC’s role as a vital contributor to the region’s economy while creating clear pathways for students to enter high-demand, high-wage careers.
Dr. Poole is widely recognized across Louisiana for her commitment to advancing educational opportunities. In 2024, she was elected chair of the Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL), a leading nonpartisan organization shaping statewide policy in education, workforce development, and economic growth. Following the merger of CABL and the Committee of 100 for Economic Development, she now serves as co-chair of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, helping drive strategic priorities that strengthen the state’s workforce and expand opportunities for all Louisianans.
A dedicated community leader, Dr. Poole is actively involved with the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Rotary Club of Alexandria, and United Way of Central Louisiana. She is also a graduate of Leadership Louisiana and has been recognized as one of the Central Louisiana YMCA Decades of Women honorees for her impact on the region.
Dr. Poole holds a bachelor’s degree and MBA from Louisiana State University, as well as a doctorate in higher education administration from Louisiana Tech University. With nearly three decades of leadership experience, she has established herself as a respected voice in higher education and a champion for education, workforce alignment, and student success.