Dr. J. Lyons tapped as Dillard’s interim president

The Louisiana Weekly Staff Reports

Dillard University officials an­nounced recently that Dr. James Lyons, a three-time university president and member of Dillard’s board of trustees, will assume the post of interim president on July 1, 2011. Dillard University is currently conducting a presidential search, and Dr. Lyons will provide leadership until a permanent president is named.

Dillard University President Marvalene Hughes, who announced her intention to step down in February, will conclude her six-year tenure on June 30.

“We are aware of the importance of an efficient transition to new leadership,” said Joyce Roch, chair of Dillard’s board of trustees. “Dr. Lyons has an outstanding record of accomplishment, and we are so excited that he has agreed to take on this position. He is an experienced academic leader who is passionate about Dillard’s mission.”

Over the past three decades, Dr. Lyons has served as president of California State University, Dom­in­quez Hills; Jackson State University; and Bowie State Uni­versity. Most recently, he served as secretary of the Mary­land Higher Education Com­mission.

A native of New Haven, Conn., Dr. Lyons attended the University of Connecticut, where he earned a bachelor’s in Spanish, a master’s in student personnel, and a Ph.D. in professional higher education administration. He later attended the Harvard University Institute for Education Management.

Dillard University has retained the services of the Isaacson, Miller firm to help conduct the search for its seventh president. The university’s board of trustees has also assembled an internal search committee comprised of trustees, faculty, staff and students to facilitate the search process.

This story originally published in the May 30, 2011 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.