EMU announces new dean of students 

Eastern Mennonite University announces the appointment of Shannon W. Dycus to the dean of students position. Dycus, most recently co-pastor of First Mennonite Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, brings experience in the pastorate, higher education and K-12 education. She will begin July 15.

The Dean of Students is the senior student life representative at EMU, responsible for the co-curricular aspects of learning and living on campus. The dean collaborates with student life operations and supervises various directors. 

“We saw in Shannon exceptional gifts, skills and dispositions that will serve well our students and staff,” said Provost Fred Kniss. “She is a strong and thoughtful leader who will combine emotional intelligence and wisdom with administrative savvy in leading our highly skilled team of student life staff. Her combination of experience with students in an academic setting and with pastoral support of persons in crisis in her congregational setting prepares her well for this role.” 

Before and during her time as co-pastor of First Mennonite Church, Dycus served as academic advisor and adjunct faculty in the humanities at Franklin University of Ohio. She also taught courses in critical thinking, ethical reasoning and learning skills. At First Mennonite, she led missional and faith formation ministries. 

Dycus has also worked in the chaplaincy, K-12 education and with a youth-focused nonprofit. 

“In this new role, I see one of my primary responsibilities as helping to nurture the culture at EMU rooted in our shared values,” Dycus wrote in an email from the Mennonite Church USA convention last week, where she served on the worship planning team. “Whether in classrooms or sanctuaries, my experience has taught me the necessity of cultivating inclusive and creative spaces, the soil from which academic success flourishes. Student life at EMU had excelled at this and I hope to encourage ongoing efforts for the sake of this community and its impact on those around it.”

Dycus holds a Master of Divinity degree from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she was awarded the Excellence in Liturgical Worship Leadership Award. She is completing a diploma in the art of spiritual direction from San Francisco Theological Seminary.  

She earned her BA in middle and secondary education with a certification in psychology, sociology and economics at Butler University.