James E. Lyons to Lead Concordia College in Selma, Alabama

The board of regents of Concordia College in Selma, Alabama, has named James E. Lyons as chief transition officer. In effect, Dr. Lyons will serve as interim president of the historically Black educational institution for the next six months.

According to the latest U.S. Department of Education statistics, Concordia College, which is affiliated with the Lutheran Church, enrolls about 500 students. African Americans make up 93 percent of the student body.

Dr. Lyons most recently served as interim president of the University of the District of Columbia. Earlier, he was president of Bowie State University, Jackson State University, and California State University Dominguez Hills. From 2007 to 2010 he was secretary of the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

Dr. Lyons holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish, a master’s degree in student personnel, and a doctorate in higher educational administration, all from the University of Connecticut.

Related Articles

4 COMMENTS

  1. After working with Jim when he was President of CSUDH and in fact following him since he left our Institution, I am pleased to see that higher education still recognizes his leadership qualities, especially among the HBCUs. Best of luch during the transition!

  2. Congrats to Dr. Lyons. He and I interacted extensively when he was President of CSUDH and I wish him the best in this position at Concordia. It is nice to know that higher education recognizes his leadership.

Leave a Reply

Get the JBHE Weekly Bulletin

Receive our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox

Latest News

Four African Americans Appointed to University Administrative Positions

The appointments are Donald R. Pearsall at Alabama A&M University, Padonda Webb at North Carolina A&T State University, Michael Scales at the University of Pennsylvania, and Dawn Leaks Ragsdale at Yale University.

In Memoriam: Shani Mott, 1976-2024

Dr. Mott was a lecturer in the department of history and Center for Africana Studies at Johns Hopkins University where she worked for the past sixteen years. Her academic studies focused on racial language in American popular culture.

California State University Sacramento Launches Black Honors College

Officially launching for the fall 2024 semester, the Black Honors College will support students from all backgrounds who study Black history, life, and culture by providing them with a specialized curriculum and mentoring opportunities.

Higher Education Gifts or Grants of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

Featured Jobs