Richard J. "Rick" Gallot, Jr. serves as the tenth president and Tiger-in-Chief of
Grambling State University, the place "Where Everybody is Somebody.” A homegrown and
long-term advocate for the University, President Gallot has served the North Louisiana
community for more than 30 years as a legislator, lawyer, corporate advisor, and now
leader of the community’s number one Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
President Gallot previously held positions as a member of the Grambling City Council, the Louisiana State Senate, and for three terms in the Louisiana House of Representatives. His work has included leading efforts to improve redistricting and elections in Louisiana, create a better business environment for agriculture and technology businesses, and serving on key committees including revenue and fiscal affairs and the state senate’s commerce committee. Today, he leads more 550 employees in serving one of Louisiana’s fastest growing student populations.
Under his leadership, the University is experiencing historic growth including breaking enrollment records, a more than 200% increase in its fiscal health score, and opportunities to partner with and perform for America’s largest brands including Beyoncé, Adidas, and Coca-Cola. Gallot is an alumnus of Grambling State University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in history, and the Southern University School of Law in Baton Rouge, where he received his juris doctorate. He has also completed leadership training from Harvard University’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government.
President Gallot is a member of the Board of Directors for two corporations: Origin Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: OBNK), more commonly known as “Origin Bank,” and CLECO Corporate Holdings, LLC (CNL), more commonly known “Cleco Power.” In recent history, Gallot has served as speaker and trainer for the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).
As the son of a former mayor to the City of Grambling, Richard Gallot, Sr., and the former head of the University’s history department, Dr. Mildred Gallot, President Gallot continues a strong legacy of service to Grambling State and Louisiana. He is a member Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated and his work as president has earned recognition for Best Leadership at the HBCU Grow Awards for two consecutive years. He is husband to Mrs. Christy Gallot and they have four sons.
“While I never planned it, it is one of my greatest honors to serve my alma mater as President,” says Gallot. “I firmly believe there is no vision too big or too bold for Grambling State University.”