Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus
Eastern Mennonite University 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 EMU and is a member of both the Executive Leadership Team and President’s Cabinet. She is the first Black woman in EMU 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 EMU. 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—and nurtures a co-curricular vision of social accountability, holistic well-being, and academic success for all students.
Dr. Dycus has “made it a priority to support EMU students as they arrive on campus and to navigate barriers in their education” 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 EMU’s Safer Together office. She has worked with EMU Counseling Services to increase staffing and training for mental health support, and has been a staunch student advocate for peaceful responses to global injustices.
Press release: EMU names its student affairs leader Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus as interim president
Current President
Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman, 2017-present
Presidents Emeriti
- J.B. Smith, 1917-1922
- A.D. Wenger, 1922-1935
- John L. Stauffer, 1935-1948
- John R. Mumaw, 1948-1965
- Myron S. Augsburger, 1965-1980
- Richard C. Detweiler, 1980-1987
- Joseph L. Lapp, 1987-2003
- Loren E. Swartzendruber, 2003-2016
EMU News Updates
EMU seeks innovative interim president to lead through strategic transition
EMU President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman announces retirement
Interim President Search Committee
- Jane Peifer, vice chair of the Board of Trustees and search committee co-chair
- Jim Leaman, associate professor of business, director of the business and leadership program, and search committee co-chair
- Carrie Bert, assistant vice president of student affairs and director of athletics
- Kate Clark, associate professor of nursing within the School of Science, Engineering, Art and Nursing
- Simone Horst, special collections librarian at the Menno Simons Historical Library
- Cedric Moore, member of the Board of Trustees
- Jennifer North Bauman, executive administrative assistant for student affairs
- Dan Ott, dean of the School of Theology, Religion and Performing Arts and dean of the School of Social Sciences and Professions
