LSU Names Joseph P. Messina as Senior Vice Chancellor and Provost

BATON ROUGE - LSU has named Joseph P. Messina as its next senior vice chancellor and provost, following an extensive national search. Messina will begin his role Aug. 3, 2026, pending approval by the LSU Board of Supervisors.

Messina is currently dean of the J. Frank Barefield College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Alabama, where he leads the university's largest college. At LSU, he will serve as chief academic officer, responsible for academic affairs, faculty development, student achievement, research partnerships, and strategic initiatives that support LSU's continued rise among the nation's leading public research universities.

"Messina emerged from an exceptionally strong national search as a leader uniquely equipped to help LSU build on its momentum and achieve its bold ambitions," said LSU Chancellor Jim Dalton. "He brings a rare combination of scholarly accomplishment, research expertise, administrative experience, and a deep understanding of what it takes to elevate a flagship institution. His track record of supporting faculty excellence, strengthening research enterprises, and leading through change aligns exceptionally well with LSU's vision for the future."

Messina has held academic leadership roles at public research universities throughout his career. Since 2019, he has served as dean at Alabama, overseeing more than 20 academic departments and programs. His work has focused on faculty recruitment and retention, academic program development, undergraduate research, graduate education, and interdisciplinary projects.

Before joining Alabama, Messina spent nearly 20 years at Michigan State University. His roles included assistant vice president for research and innovation, senior associate dean for faculty affairs, associate dean for research, and associate dean for graduate studies. In these positions, he supported faculty development, research growth, graduate education, and interdisciplinary initiatives.

A nationally recognized scholar and professor of geography, Messina has authored more than 140 scholarly publications and built an international research portfolio supported by organizations including NASA, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health.

"LSU is one of the country's great flagship institutions, and the opportunities ahead are extraordinary," Messina said. "The university has demonstrated remarkable momentum in research growth, academic excellence, student success, and statewide impact. I am honored by the opportunity to join the LSU community and work alongside its outstanding faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters as we continue building upon that momentum."

Messina holds a Ph.D. in geography from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master of Science in geographic and cartographic sciences from George Mason University, and a Bachelor of Arts in biology from George Mason University.

A university committee of faculty, staff, students, and administrators led the search, which included an outstanding pool of candidates from top institutions nationwide.