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Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC) Chancellor, Dr. Jim Carlson has completed the 2025 Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy, a year-long program that prepares leaders to strengthen communities and economies across the Delta region.
The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) created the DLI Executive Academy to bring together leaders from government, business, education, and nonprofits who are working to address the unique challenges and opportunities facing the Delta’s eight states. Carlson was among this year’s graduates recognized for their commitment to advancing the region.
“This experience broadened my perspective as both a leader and a collaborator,” Carlson said. “The Academy challenged me to think differently about how we can leverage partnerships, grow our workforce, and create opportunity for the people of Louisiana and the Delta region.”
NTCC has already seen the impact of DRA’s investment in Louisiana. The college has been awarded two DRA Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) grants – in 2019 and 2023 – totaling nearly $3.5 million. These grants have allowed NTCC to expand its programs in Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics, equipping students with in-demand skills while helping local industries build a stronger workforce.
One shining example of that impact is a graduate of NTCC’s Mechatronics Apprenticeship program who is now working as a technician at SpaceX in Austin, TX. Stories like his highlight how rural students, with the right training and support, can achieve extraordinary career opportunities in some of the most advanced industries in the world.
While NTCC’s main campus is located in St. Tammany Parish, the college also serves four parishes that are part of the DRA region: Washington, Tangipahoa, St. Helena, and Livingston. The programs supported by DRA have opened doors for students across these communities, giving them access to training that leads to good jobs close to home.
“The support from DRA has been transformational for NTCC,” Carlson added. “These grants have allowed us to create programs that not only meet the needs of industry today but also position our region for the jobs of tomorrow.”
As a graduate of the DLI Executive Academy, Carlson joins a network of leaders dedicated to making a difference in the Delta region. He says he looks forward to continuing to advocate for education, workforce development, and economic mobility in Louisiana and beyond.
