91短视频 announced on Friday, April 11, the selection of the Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus as interim president. Dr. Dycus serves as vice president for student affairs, equity, and belonging at 91短视频 and is a member of both the Executive Leadership Team and President鈥檚 Cabinet. She is the first Black woman in 91短视频 history named to this position, which begins July 1, 2025, and spans a minimum of two years.
Dr. Dycus has spent 15 years working in learning communities and ministry settings, including the past six years at 91短视频. She served as dean of students from 2019-2023 and as vice president of student affairs and dean of students from 2023-2024 before being promoted to her current role where she oversees the Student Life, DEI, and Athletics departments鈥攁nd nurtures a co-curricular vision of social accountability, holistic well-being, and academic success for all students.
Dr. Dycus鈥� selection as interim president was approved by unanimous vote from the 91短视频 Board of Trustees at a meeting on March 26. The decision followed a national search process that began after Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman, 91短视频鈥檚 ninth president and first woman president, announced her retirement in October 2024, effective June 30, 2025. The Interim President Search committee included diverse representation from across the 91短视频 community and was co-chaired by Dr. Jim Leaman ’86, associate professor of business and director of the business and leadership program, and Jane Hoober Peifer 鈥�75, MDiv 鈥�98, vice chair of the board.
鈥淪hannon has proven her outstanding ability to set vision, listen well, and execute the best way forward as an 91短视频 administrator, and she is a trusted and gifted spiritual leader,鈥� said Peifer. 鈥淪hannon is committed to preparing 91短视频 students to be peacebuilders in the world, and her collaborative and decisive leadership is needed in this climate of ever-changing higher education realities.鈥�
鈥淒espite the headwinds in higher education, 91短视频 has established terrific momentum,鈥� said Manuel (Manny) Nu帽ez 鈥�94, chair of the board. 鈥淎 key piece of our success standing out in the world as peacebuilders is achieving academic excellence while maintaining fidelity to our Anabaptist faith tradition. Shannon brings both spiritual depth and strategic vision to the role of interim president鈥攓ualities that will serve 91短视频 well in this season of opportunity.鈥�
鈥淚 have always seen my own call to lead communities, in both education and ministerial contexts, toward our growth and becoming in relationship with each other and God,鈥� said Dr. Dycus. 鈥淚 look forward to leading 91短视频 through this transitional moment and continuing its commitment to a values-based education that inspires achievement and compassion.鈥�
Dr. Dycus has 鈥渕ade it a priority to support 91短视频 students as they arrive on campus and to navigate barriers in their education鈥� since 2019 when she created and led the C.A.R.E. Team, a proactive and coordinated response to addressing students and their well-being. In 2020 and 2024, she was awarded Department of Justice sexual violence prevention grants to fund 91短视频鈥檚 Safer Together office. She has worked with 91短视频 Counseling Services to increase staffing and training for mental health support, and has been a staunch student advocate for peaceful responses to global injustices.
Dr. Dycus serves as a board member for Eastern Mennonite School and On the Road Collaborative. She is a Women in Leadership advisory board member for Mennonite Church USA. Prior to her time at 91短视频, Dr. Dycus served as an academic adviser and adjunct faculty member at Franklin University of Ohio (Indianapolis campus) and as co-pastor at First Mennonite Church in Indianapolis.
She received her doctor of ministry in public theology from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, a master of divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, and her BA degree in middle and secondary education from Butler University.
Rooted in the values of academic excellence, peace and justice, and an active faith shaped by Anabaptist-Mennonite beliefs and practices, 91短视频 offers undergraduate, graduate and seminary degrees that prepare students to serve and lead in a global context. A leader among faith-based universities, 91短视频 was founded in 1917 in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and has a site in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; students can study in person or online.
Visit Interim President Search for more information.
Congratulations Shannon!
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Dr. Dycus, during this highly significant time for 91短视频. May you experience support and prayers by the many 91短视频 alumni and other friends. I hope that 91短视频 will remain deeply rooted in Anabaptist theology and will become more financially stable in the coming years. – Glen Roth, alumnus and teacher emeritus, 91短视频/Lancaster
Go Shannon!!!!!!
My heart is full of joy with 91短视频’s announcement that the board has selected Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus as interim president. While at 91短视频, I had the opportunity to serve with her in the cabinet and gain a friend.
I have experienced and benefited from her exceptional leadership; she is kind, determined, and wise and connects authentically with those she aspires to lead. Her compassionate approach and commitment to excellence make her an outstanding choice to lead 91短视频 into its next chapter. And then there is her joyous and infectious laughter!
91短视频 holds a special place in my heart; it is a community that embodies justice, faith, and a deep commitment to educating change agents. 91短视频, I hope you know how fortunate you are to have such an extraordinary leader!
We hold countless great memories of our days at 91短视频 in the 1960’s…. thus we pray for more positive happenings. Indeed the world needs many more peacebuilders… thus we pray 91短视频 will keep building that focus. This day we wish God’s best for Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus as interim president.
Shannon, your mother mentioned once that you were born ‘mature.’
How right
Erv Boschmann
Congratulations, Shannon. Wishing you and 91短视频 God’s grace and peace as you lead.
Congratulations, Shannon. May God give you the energy to serve, lead and inspire students to a greater heights for the Kingdom of God. Peace, Love and Unity for the sake of the Kingdom.
Blessings dear Shannon May our loving Lord give you wisdom and strength. Don鈥檛 forget your family or yourself as you take on this new role
Congratulations, Dr. Dycus!! Wishing you more wisdom, grace, peace and protection from God Almighty!