Dr. John V. Lombardi is the fifth individual to serve as the President of the Louisiana State University System.  As its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Lombardi oversees 10 campuses in five cities as well as 10 public hospitals located throughout the state.  He is also a Professor of History at Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College.

Dr. Lombardi was born in Los Angeles, California and attended Pomona College where he earned his bachelor’s degree.  He received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in history from Columbia University.  He joined the faculty in the Department of History at Indiana University, where he later served as Dean of International Programs and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.  In 1987, he became Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Johns Hopkins University.  From 1990-1999, Dr. Lombardi was President of the University of Florida.  Prior to his appointment as President of the LSU System, he served as Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

He is a Latin American historian, with a special interest in Venezuela.  Dr. Lombardi is also one of the country’s foremost authorities in higher education, serving as Co-Editor of The Top American Research Universities.  He is the author of numerous professional publications, and along with his wife, Cathryn, co-authored a teaching atlas on Latin American History.  He has taught courses in history, intercollegiate sports, and university management.