Dr. Keagan LeJeune Named Dean of McNeese’s College of Liberal Arts 

Dr. Keagan LeJeune has been named dean of the McNeese State University College of Liberal Arts, according to Dr. Michael Buckles, provost and vice president for academic affairs. The college includes the departments of English and foreign languages, history, interdisciplinary studies, mass communication, social sciences, visual arts and the W.A. and Dorothy Hanna Department of Performing Arts. 

LeJeune received his doctorate in English specializing in folklore from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and his Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and Master of Arts in English from McNeese. 

He believes in McNeese’s mission to change lives because it changed his life. 

“Being a student at McNeese helped me discover what I loved to do and to see the potential I had,” LeJeune said. “It’s an honor to do the same for our current students.” 

LeJeune began serving as interim dean in July 2024 and supported enrollment increases in both graduate and undergraduate programs in the college. He collaborated to secure $120,000 in funding, upgraded technology in three learning spaces and implemented student trivia events to enrich student experience. 

“They say the more you give, the more you receive. I’ve found that’s especially true as interim dean. Of course, the responsibilities grow, but so do the opportunities to help the members of the McNeese community,” he said. “Serving in this position has been the highlight of my professional experience at McNeese.” 

LeJeune says the college faculty and staff embraced McNeese’s core principles, values and goals over the last year. He explained that while they have always been focused on student success, this year was special.  

“We had a tremendous Cowboy Commitment Day. Our faculty and staff were incredible at helping students that busy April day. Seeing a new student start their lives as a McNeese Cowboys, helping them pick their classes and signing up for events, supporting them while this next stage of their life begins—it doesn’t get much better,” he said. 

Prior to his appointment as dean, LeJeune served as head of the McNeese Department of English and Foreign Languages. During his tenure he collaborated with other departments to create courses and concentrations to satisfy students’ needs and partnered with outside agencies to increase experiential learning opportunities for graduate students. LeJeune was awarded more than $20,000 in endowed professorship funds to support the department and created a screenwriting course for students. He joined the faculty at McNeese in 2001. 

LeJeune’s recent book, Finding Myself Lost in Louisiana, earned him the 2024 Summerlee Prize for best nonfiction book devoted to the Gulf Coast. He was a fellow of the Center for History and Culture of Southeast Texas and the Upper Gulf Coast, and in 2019, he won the Arthur W. Bergeron Jr. Award for preservation of Louisiana History and Culture. LeJeune has written numerous articles, poems, stories and papers focused on the history and folklore of Louisiana and Southeast Texas. 

LeJeune says he is looking forward to congratulating students on their commencement days.  

“Commencement is a fun day whether you’re sitting on the Legacy Center’s floor or in the stands,” he said. “Being on the platform, though, offers an entirely different experience. The excitement is palpable. Congratulating every single student after each crosses the stage is one of the greatest parts of my job.”