Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana, founded by Saint Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, is Catholic and historically Black. The purpose of the university is to contribute to the promotion of a more just and humane society by preparing its students to assume roles of leadership and service in a global society. This preparation takes place in a diverse learning and teaching environment that incorporates all relevant educational means, including research and community service.
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Xavier Speech Pathology faculty earn two of Louisiana’s highest professional honors
Xavier University of Louisiana’s Department of Speech Pathology has added to its legacy of excellence as two faculty members received prestigious honors from the Louisiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association (LSHA) during the organization’s 2026 annual state convention.
Melissa R. Turner, professor in the Department of Speech Pathology, received the 2026 Jeannette Laguaite Award, while Taylor Magaw, professor and clinical educator, was honored with the Rita Buller Keller Healthcare Award. The dual recognition highlights the department’s impact on speech-language pathology education, clinical practice and professional leadership across Louisiana. >>Read More
Xavier Student Named University’s First Udall Scholar
Xavier University of Louisiana student Sophia Speller has been named a 2026 Udall Scholar, becoming the University’s first recipient of the prestigious national scholarship and the only student from an HBCU selected in this year’s cohort.
A biology major with a chemistry minor from Chicago, Speller was selected from a national pool of 381 candidates representing 175 colleges and universities. The Udall Foundation named 55 Scholars and 55 Honorable Mentions for 2026, recognizing undergraduate students committed to careers in environmental stewardship, Tribal public policy, and Native health care. Xavier was among only three institutions nationwide to celebrate its first-ever Udall Scholar this year. >>Read More
Xavier University Facts
- A recent AAMC report revealed that Xavier maintains its high-ranking status in sending African American graduates on to successfully complete Medical School. Xavier also remains among the top ten in sending African American Graduates to Medical School.
- Plexuss recognized Xavier as the nation’s #2 HBCU and as the #1 HBCU in Louisiana as part of their 2022 rankings. Xavier’s new Data Science program was also ranked as the top in the state.
- Xavier was recognized as the nation’s #3 HBCU by U.S. News “Best Colleges” Guide 2022.
- Xavier University of Louisiana was singled out as one of the nation’s best institutions for undergraduate education by The Princeton Review in the 2021 edition of its “The Best 386 Colleges” publication.
- Xavier University of Louisiana was recognized as one of the nation’s top Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as well as the best value among southern regional universities in the recently released “Best Colleges 2020” guide by the U.S. News Media Group.
- The Xavier University Division of Business was awarded the Louisiana Quality Foundation’s (LQF) highest award, the Level 3 Louisiana Performance Excellence Award (LPEA) based on an evaluation of its proven effectiveness, sustainability, innovation, integrated processes, and tracked results.
- Xavier was again ranked #3 in a special 2023 report on the “Best Catholic Colleges and Universities” by the Edvocate.
- Xavier was recognized as among the nation’s top five HBCUs in the recently released “Best Colleges 2022” guide by the online college ranking site Niche.com.
- Xavier University of Louisiana is among the top 10% of “best colleges for the money” in Louisiana and the entire Southeast Region in the College Factual 2020 rankings and is recognized as one of the top four for that ranking in the state of Louisiana.
- Xavier University of Louisiana’s programs in biological and biomedical sciences, general biology, physical sciences, and chemistry are all ranked in the top 5 for the best value in the College Factual 2020 Rankings.
- With a 93% placement rate, Xavier remains Louisiana’s top institution for graduates successfully entering the job market according to career experts at Zippia.com.
- Xavier was designated as a 2020-2021 Military Friendly School by Military Friendly.
- Xavier was recently named the Best HBCU in the state of Louisiana by University Headquarters (University HQ), an independent hub of resources and information for those considering higher education.
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Xavier University Staff
Since its founding, Xavier University of Louisiana has responded to the needs of the times … Faithful to our history as Black and Catholic and open to the world, we will educate and be a gift to the world.
Dr. C. Reynold Verret President