For 100 years, Xavier University of Louisiana has empowered its students to create a more just and humane society through their careers. One of the ways it has accomplished this is through research and development that has had an impact, particularly on the communities that it serves. Xavier University of Louisiana now proudly joins the ranks of distinguished institutions across the country by being awarded a Research Colleges and Universities (RCU) designation in the newly restructured Carnegie classifications. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the university's growing research capacity and recognizes Xavier as an emerging leader in higher education research.

“Receiving the Carnegie RCU designation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students. This recognition highlights the relentless efforts of those here at Xavier to push the boundaries of knowledge and innovation, and it affirms that our research initiatives are not only growing but making a significant impact on a larger scale,” said Marguerite S. Giguette, Senior Vice President and Provost at Xavier University of Louisiana.

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, in collaboration with the American Council on Education, unveiled its redesigned research activity designations for U.S. higher education institutions. The new classifications reflect a more inclusive and transparent way to recognize the diverse and expanding research landscape at colleges and universities nationwide. Among the changes, the new criteria offer more precise categorizations, placing a stronger emphasis on the breadth of research activities rather than focusing solely on federal funding or doctoral degree production. The RCU designation is a new classification that was created to highlight institutions that were historically not recognized for their research contributions, now highlighting 216 universities with new research designations, including Xavier University of Louisiana.

Xavier’s new RCU designation highlights the strength of its expanding research infrastructure. Previously, the university held a Carnegie classification as a Master’s College and University: Medium Programs. Due to the expansion of research activity, the newest designation signifies the university as one of the 26 HBCUs that spend an average of $2.5 million on research and development, marking it as a premiere institution for research.

Xavier’s recognition also reflects the university's broader vision for growth in areas critical to community development, such as public health, science, and education. The university’s research has been driven by this deep commitment to advancing social good, and this designation further highlights that ongoing mission. The designation was determined by $15,519,000 in research expenditures the university spent in 2023 as well as the six research doctorates that it awarded in the last few years.

“This achievement underscores Xavier’s commitment to a vibrant research environment and to the integration of research in the education and formation of talented students," said Xavier President Reynold Verret. “It speaks to our shared vision for an environment where discovery thrives so that we may attend to the challenges of today’s world.”

This new chapter in Xavier’s story not only elevates the university’s national standing but also showcases the tremendous potential for research and innovation at a university in the heart of New Orleans. With this recognition, Xavier University of Louisiana stands ready to lead the way into an exciting future of academic and research excellence.