Episode Details

Recorded on March 19, 2026 at Vermilionville during the LFT Fiber Powered by Connectivity Summit, this episode of Discover Lafayette captures a powerful conversation about leadership, innovation, and the role of connectivity in shaping Acadiana’s future. The summit’s theme, Growth Powered by Fiber – Where Technology Meets Community, comes to life through the perspective of Dr. Ramesh Kolluru, newly appointed seventh president of University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Dr. Kolluru’s story is deeply intertwined with Lafayette itself. Reflecting on his journey from India to Acadiana, he shares, “This is not where I was born. I grew up in India. But I chose to grow old in Acadiana, and here at this university that I came to as a graduate student back in 1992.” What began as a practical decision, “Mom and Dad decided that I was going to go where my brother was,” evolved into a lifelong commitment to the region. His early impressions of Lafayette shifted quickly as he immersed himself in research and community, ultimately “falling in love with this place.”

A defining moment in his journey came through an unexpected mentor: former university president Dr. Ray Authement. Kolluru recalls how Dr. Authement would quietly visit his lab, asking about his work and future plans. “Here was the president of a university of 16,000 students checking in on an international graduate student; the president was checking in on me.” That experience shaped his philosophy of leadership, instilling a belief in visibility, belonging, and personal impact. As he puts it, “Here was the president of the university that made me feel like I mattered. I was visible and I counted.”

Now leading the university himself, Kolluru emphasizes that his success is inseparable from the institution’s influence on him. “This university poured itself into me. It made me who I am today.” His presidency builds on decades of service, including his tenure as Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Economic Development, where he helped guide UL Lafayette to its prestigious Carnegie R1 designation, placing it among the top 3% of research universities in the nation.