Coast & Environment Assistant Dean Earns LSU Staff Stripes Award

On February 26, Leah Courville, assistant dean of the LSU College of the Coast & Environment, received a Staff Stripes Award from LSU Staff Senate. This quarterly award is given to up to three staff members for their exceptional work and dedication to LSU and was first implemented by Staff Senate this year. Courville has worked for LSU for 25 years, spending the past 11 years at the College of the Coast & Environment. Prior to that, she worked for 14 years in the School of Social Work.

“Leah is without question one of the best staff members that I have ever hired, and in 40 plus years at multiple universities and in government, I have hired many, many superb people,” said Chris D’Elia, dean of the college.  

According to Sibel Bargu Ates, the college’s associate dean of academics, “We are so lucky to have a wonderful staff here in the college, and Leah played an important role in bringing this fantastic team together and running a very efficient and productive academic unit. Her limitless dedication to our college was proven again during this pandemic. She was in our building most of the time when only few people were present, and she worked tirelessly to make sure the building was ready to teach again with the necessary health precautions.”

Despite such high praise, Courville remains humble. For her, it is all in a day’s work.

“My favorite thing about the College of the Coast & Environment is the people. I love our staff, faculty, and students. Every day is different, but my position allows me to be engaged with every aspect of the college and that is exciting to me,” she said.

In addition to working for LSU, Courville holds two degrees from the university, a bachelor’s in special education and a master’s in liberal arts with concentration in public administration. And, she is a former member of the Golden Band from Tigerland.

“I am always humbled by awards because it is our awesome staff who do the hard work, I’m just the face and voice for the entire group. They make me look good and I truly appreciate working with them every day,” she said.