By Paige Nash
An official and formal inauguration for the new chancellor of Northwest Technical Community College (NLTCC), Dr. Jayda Spillers, was held this past Friday, March 31, which just so happened to be the last day of Women’s History Month. This may have just been a coincidence, but it was definitely fitting.
In December of 2022, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) made the decision to select Spillers as the new chancellor of NLTCC following a lengthy and comprehensive process. From a nation-wide pool of highly qualified candidates, Spillers was chosen.
Representing the LCTCS Board of Supervisors Tari Bradford said, “We are here on the last day of Women’s History Month for a great change, and she is a change agent. She is here to make things happen. We have selected, I believe, a great leader to take us to the end of the things we need to do here. She has a passion for education. She has a passion for growth, and she has a passion for diversity.”
Spillers has almost 30 years of experience across multiple states including Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana. She previously served as Vice Chancellor of NLTCC where she dedicated her time to increasing the scope of possibilities for students by adding industry-based certifications, dual enrollment opportunities and credential attainment. She was passionate about leading endeavors to become accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
“The title chancellor, a senior state or legal official, the head of the government, the leader of a country, the presiding judge, the president or chief administrative officer of a college or university- what a position of responsibility,” said NLTCC Minden Industrial Maintenance Instructor Mike Holoman. “I know we have the right person fixing to take the reins and we have a great future, and I am excited to be with her at her starting point. I think our past leaders will be very proud and excited.”
Spillers was met with a standing ovation by the crowd made up of students, colleagues, community leaders, family and friends, as she headed to the podium to make her final remarks.
“When Chancellor Meador offered me the opportunity to come to Northwest, I had to do that. I felt that is where God was calling me at the time and that was my opportunity to help our students take that next level. That was exciting to me, but I never dreamed that move would take me into this position and what an honor it is,” said Spillers. “I have fallen in love with our faculty and staff at Northwest and our students. Everything we do is driven by putting our students first.”
The NWLTC currently has three campuses in Minden, Mansfield and Shreveport. Each campus offers a wide variety of programs including nursing, business, welding as well as a heavy equipment vehicle operation program at Camp Minden. The college provides students with opportunities to earn technical diplomas and associate degrees, some of which are available completely online.
Spillers said, “Stay tuned and watch us, watch us grow. We are looking to be cutting edge to find what is needed right now in our community, but we are also thinking ahead. I have challenged our faculty and staff to be cutting edge. Own your programs. It is only as big as you want it to be, and I challenge you to be a superstar because that is only going to benefit our students. That is what it is all about.”
