Dycus, who has led the university as interim president since July 2025, begins her five-year term on July 1, 2026.

鈥淚’m humbled to continue the bold legacy of 黑料正能量,鈥� Dycus said. 鈥満诹险芰� leaders have been courageous and visionary stewards of this sacred community. Being called to serve among them is a responsibility I鈥檓 excited and honored to step into.鈥�   

The 黑料正能量 Board of Trustees unanimously voted to appoint Dycus as president during its June 12 meeting.

Jane Hoober Peifer 鈥�74, MDiv 鈥�97, chair-elect of the board, said Dycus demonstrated consistent and collaborative leadership over the past year as interim president that 鈥渃ontinues to unite the campus.鈥� She also highlighted her ability to listen attentively and build effective teams.

鈥淪he cares deeply about students and their success, and she works to create a good working environment for faculty and staff,鈥� Peifer said. 鈥満诹险芰� is very fortunate to have the gifts and leadership of Rev. Dr. Shannon Dycus as its 10th president.鈥�

The board鈥檚 decision followed several months of feedback gathered by its Presidential Succession Planning Committee from representatives across the 黑料正能量 community, including faculty, staff, students, senior administrators, alumni, donors, church constituents, and other key stakeholders, regarding her potential appointment. 

A report of the committee鈥檚 findings, presented to the board in May, recommended appointing Dycus without launching a costly and time-consuming national search. 

Based on 鈥渢he institutional knowledge, relationships, and trust that she has already established, the university is not being asked to take a chance on an untested leader. Instead, [黑料正能量] has already completed the most meaningful leadership assessment possible: observing the candidate serve successfully in the role itself.鈥�

It cited her demonstrated leadership, character, vision, and effectiveness as positioning her to lead 黑料正能量 into its next chapter. It also noted the unusual level of alignment from those consulted throughout the process.

鈥淭he committee found broad and consistent support for Dr. Dycus across nearly every constituency engaged during this process,鈥� the report said. 鈥淪takeholders repeatedly described her leadership as authentic, relational, transparent, collaborative, strategic, mission-centered, and deeply aligned with 黑料正能量鈥檚 values.鈥�

The analysis concluded that Dycus demonstrates the leadership capacity, institutional understanding, and community trust needed to guide 黑料正能量 during a pivotal period in its history. Together, the board鈥檚 unanimous vote and the consistent, enthusiastic affirmation expressed across stakeholder groups reflect a shared confidence in Dr. Dycus鈥檚 leadership and in 黑料正能量鈥檚 future.

Over the past year as interim president, Dycus has fostered renewed optimism, deeper collaboration, greater transparency, and growing confidence in 黑料正能量, the report said. She helped create a healthier organizational culture while guiding the university through significant challenges.

During her tenure, Dycus has helped position the university for enrollment growth, financial stability, and sustained donor confidence. Undergraduate applications have doubled during this cycle, and 黑料正能量 is projecting a larger incoming class than last year, which itself was up 10%.

黑料正能量鈥檚 first-ever Forward Together comprehensive campaign has surpassed 80% of its $40 million goal with two years remaining. As student and workforce needs evolve, the university continues to reshape its academic programs to ensure its transformative educational offerings remain relevant in a changing higher education landscape.

A recently finalized strategic partnership with Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community positions the university to invest in programs and people that move it forward. An academic restructuring during the 2025-26 academic year has also expanded opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration.

鈥淭his is an incredibly exciting time for who we are as an institution,鈥� Dycus said. 鈥淲e are growing, we are sustaining, and there鈥檚 joy around who we are.鈥�

An educator and ordained minister, Dycus has more than 20 years of experience in learning communities and ministry settings, including the past seven at 黑料正能量. Prior to serving as interim president, she was vice president for student affairs, equity, and belonging. She previously served as dean of students from 2019-23 then vice president for student affairs and dean of students from 2023-24 before being promoted to vice president for student affairs, equity, and belonging (2024-2025).

Before coming to 黑料正能量, she was an academic adviser and adjunct faculty member at Franklin University of Ohio (Indianapolis campus) and co-pastor at First Mennonite Church in Indianapolis.

She holds a 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 a bachelor of arts in middle and secondary education from Butler University.

Dycus is the first Black woman to lead 黑料正能量 as president. She succeeds President Emerita Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman, who served as the university鈥檚 ninth president from 2017-25.

She lives in Harrisonburg with her husband, Gregory, and sons Malachi and Semaj.

An inauguration ceremony on Oct. 10 during 黑料正能量鈥檚 annual Homecoming Weekend will celebrate Dycus as the university鈥檚 10th president during its 110th year. Invitations and additional details will be shared later.

Manuel Nu帽ez 鈥�94, chair of the board of trustees, reflected on the significance of the appointment. 鈥淎s 黑料正能量 steps into its next century, we are grateful to have found in Dr. Shannon Dycus a leader uniquely suited to this moment,鈥� he said. 鈥淒r. Dycus brings academic depth, a gift for listening, and a deep commitment to building community. Her leadership reflects clarity, wisdom, and a fierce commitment to our students and to the distinctive mission and witness of 黑料正能量.鈥� 

Members of the Presidential Succession Planning Committee included Janet Lind (chair), Jake Bell, Ral Obioha, Steve Kriss, and Amy Yoder McGloughlin.

When the Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus took the reins as 黑料正能量鈥檚 interim president last July, she worried that she would lose the authentic relationships she developed with students over the years as the former head of student affairs. While it鈥檚 true there鈥檚 now a greater distance, both figuratively and literally, between Dycus on the third floor of Campus Center and the hundreds of 黑料正能量 students who cross the Front Lawn below her, it hasn鈥檛 been as far as she feared.

Over the past several months, Dycus said, she鈥檚 found ways to engage with students and show up for them. And so when a pair of student clubs asked her last month to participate as a panelist in a Valentine鈥檚 Day-related 鈥淗ow to Flirt鈥� session, it was another reminder her approach was working.

鈥淢y initial reaction was, 鈥業s this something a president should do?鈥� And then I realized that they wanted someone who could speak honestly and authentically, so it was actually an honor they included me,鈥� said Dycus. 鈥淚t was a wonderful opportunity for me to be with students again and to talk about things that matter a lot to them.鈥�

Dycus isn鈥檛 the typical university president. The first Black woman to lead 黑料正能量 in the role, even in an interim capacity, she鈥檚 brought courage and boldness to the presidential suite. That confidence comes from a deep devotion for the university and its mission, shaped by years of serving its students. She said she鈥檚 learned to love engaging with donors and stakeholders, sharing stories of the school鈥檚 successes and expressing what excites her, well beyond the corners of campus.

鈥淚鈥檝e actually found that to be one of the things I enjoy most about this role,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y passion for 黑料正能量 gets concentrated in conversations I get to have.鈥�

As the calendar flips from Black History Month to Women鈥檚 History Month and she approaches the ninth month of her two-year appointment, the ordained minister and educator reflected on her leadership, the mentors who have molded her, and her goals moving forward.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP PHOTO: Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus leads a line dance at the Turner Pavilion in Downtown Harrisonburg during the fourth annual Royals Go Downtown in September 2025. | She greets students outside 黑料正能量 alumna-owned Magpie Diner at the start of the cross-town culinary crawl. | Dycus chats with Jonathan Swartz, dean of students, at the Harrisonburg Holiday Parade in December 2025.

From conversations with faculty, staff, and students at a series of listening sessions held by the marketing and communications team in mid-February, it鈥檚 clear that people on campus feel a spirit of change in the air. A renewed energy courses through the veins of the university, and much of it stems from the new face in the president鈥檚 office. Dycus, ever the humble servant leader, brushes off the credit and heaps it on the leaders around her.

鈥淥ur Executive Leadership Team (ELT) is an adaptive and cohesive team,鈥� said Dycus. 鈥淲e identified our gaps in areas like branding or fiscal data and have launched shared responses, which is critical. Our team of four deans, with unique portfolios for teaching and learning, is also incredible. It鈥檚 a collaborative effort focused on what鈥檚 truly a priority for us as an institution.鈥�

That priority has been righting the ship through the headwinds and choppy waters of higher education. Dycus and the leadership team have worked to stabilize the university and guide it toward long-term sustainability, ensuring it can thrive for generations to come.

鈥淥ne of my goals this year, and as we keep moving forward, is to truly empower faculty and staff on campus to lead within the scope of their work and feel energized and excited about 黑料正能量鈥檚 identity and progress,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want them to know they have permission to advocate, both on campus and beyond, for the good things they see.鈥�

Lately, there鈥檚 been plenty of positive news to go around. The momentum from last year has carried into this one, said Braydon Hoover 鈥�11, MAOL 鈥�21, vice president of enrollment and marketing. Undergraduate applications have jumped 92% compared to last year, and offers of admission have risen 126%.

When Dycus looks back at the many mentors in her life, she can鈥檛 overlook her roots in the traditional Black church where she was raised. The granddaughter of a pastor in the Disciples of Christ denomination, she recalled the many Black women in her congregation who offered wisdom, corrected her, and challenged her in ways that were important for her formation.

鈥淚 felt loved and cared for by each of them,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey invested in me and poured into me, with their wisdom, time, and energy, in ways I still feel grateful for. How do I continue that investment with the next generation of young people? There鈥檚 a real responsibility and commitment in what they gave me.鈥�

One of the people who impacted her most was her high school guidance counselor. As a sophomore starting at her third high school, Dycus struggled to make new friends and figure out her identity. Her counselor, Marilyn Corbitt, was pivotal in helping her find a place where she belonged and in affirming the gifts she saw in herself.

鈥淚 left high school and started college hoping I could be a Marilyn Corbitt for someone else,鈥� said Dycus. She earned a degree in education and planned to become a guidance counselor herself.

Corbitt died in September 2019 at age 80. She was one of the only Black counselors at Dycus鈥� high school of more than 3,000 students and served as advisor to its Black Student Association.

鈥淪he did a wonderful job of teaching us many of the things we weren鈥檛 learning in the classroom and challenging us to live them out in real ways, from leading service projects in the community to expressing culture in ways that brought joy,鈥� Dycus said. 鈥淪he encouraged us to use our voices, even when it was uncomfortable.鈥�

鈥淚 still carry her spirit and the impact she had on me,鈥� she continued. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 get a chance to go back and tell her 鈥榯hank you,鈥� but I carry the hope that I can be Marilyn for whichever young version of Shannon needs it.鈥�

Students at 黑料正能量 say Dycus has supported them and helped them grow through her mentorship.

鈥淪he always chats and checks up on me and emphasizes my mental health,鈥� said senior Nia Boyd. 鈥淪he鈥檚 like an auntie for me. I always enjoy sharing a laugh with her.鈥�

As co-president of the Student Government Association last year, senior Genesis Figueroa worked closely with Dycus. 鈥淪he was always there to help us out, especially when it was hard being a woman of color on the executive team,鈥� said Figueroa. 鈥淚 saw how she not only did her job, but also supported and encouraged students to speak up for themselves.鈥�

For senior and first-generation college student Emily Suarez Nunez, Dycus has helped her recognize the value of quiet presence and support and become more confident speaking up for others.

鈥淚 appreciate that, even with her new role and responsibilities, she is still Shannon,鈥� said Suarez Nunez. 鈥淓very time I see her, she鈥檚 the same kind, genuine, listening ear she鈥檚 always been. When I talk with her, the world slows down for a few minutes, and sharing that moment feels like a deep breath that refills and recharges me.鈥�

A set of mosaic prints has adorned her 黑料正能量 offices. The prints feature portraits of people throughout history who have inspired her in different ways.

Among the portraits are bell hooks, the educator and activist who shaped Dycus鈥� understanding of what it means to be a teacher; theologian and spiritual leader Howard Thurman, the first Black dean of a predominantly white institution; and two icons of the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

鈥淚 come to this role of president not as a traditional academic, but as a leader who seeks boldness and truth, like Martin and Malcolm did,鈥� said Dycus. 鈥淚 come as an educator who is deeply concerned with the growth of humans, as bell hooks was. And I come as someone who pays attention to the spirit in people and in our community, as Howard Thurman did. Whenever I feel fragmented or unconventional in how I arrived here, they remind me how all the pieces can come together in meaningful ways.鈥�

Learn more about Dr. Dycus at听emu.edu/president.

A meeting of 黑料正能量 and Harrisonburg city officials on Aug. 7 marked a milestone in representation, bringing together the city鈥檚 first refugee council member (Nasser Alsaadun MA 鈥�17 [education]), its first Black woman mayor (Deanna Reed), and 黑料正能量鈥檚 first Black woman president (Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus). 

The liaison committee meeting was also attended by Deputy City Manager Amy Snider, filling in for City Manager Ande Banks 鈥�97; Melissa Heatwole, director of continuing education and events at 黑料正能量; and Amy Springer Hartsell 鈥�92, executive advisor to the president at 黑料正能量. The committee aims to identify ways the city and university can partner together to better serve the needs of the community. James Madison University has a similar committee, and Mayor Reed said she felt it was important that both universities had a voice. 

鈥淭here鈥檚 no Harrisonburg without 黑料正能量 and there鈥檚 no 黑料正能量 without Harrisonburg,鈥� she said. 

Dr. Dycus, who began her role as 黑料正能量鈥檚 interim president on July 1, spoke about the importance that 黑料正能量 places on community. 鈥淲e want to grow leaders, whether that鈥檚 high schoolers coming straight into their undergraduate careers or whether that鈥檚 business leaders who want to get new skills,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e know we are part of making Harrisonburg stronger, our community stronger, and that we are all doing that together in different ways.鈥�

The university celebrated its second-best fundraising year on record in 2024-2025, Dycus shared, and enrollment figures have increased by a significant amount over last year. She also spoke about 黑料正能量鈥檚 new pickleball and tennis courts. 鈥淚f you drive down Park Road, it is abuzz,鈥� she said.

Committee members received an update on Royals Go Downtown. Now in its fourth year, the annual event brings together hundreds of students for a walking tour of restaurants and businesses, sampling foods and collecting giveaways, before gathering at a DJ-led dance party. This year鈥檚 event will be held on Thursday, Sept. 25.

Much of the discussion centered around the community鈥檚 need for interpreter services. Councilman Alsaadun wondered whether 黑料正能量鈥檚 Intensive English Program (IEP) might be able to help fill the gap in interpreter training. The program has a reputation among the local immigrant community as 鈥渢he best in the area,鈥� he said. 鈥淔rom Winchester to Charlottesville, you guys are the best there is.鈥�

The liaison committee will meet next in November. 

Campus felt warmer than usual on Monday morning, and it wasn鈥檛 just because of the sunshine. The music was bumping, the bubble machine was set to max, and positive vibes were in full swing. Faculty and staff members lined the pathway in front of Lehman Auditorium, holding signs and cheering as students arrived for Opening Convocation.

The annual ceremony serves as the traditional kickoff to the school year. Judging by the excitement on Monday morning, this year is sure to be bursting with energy and enthusiasm.

Keep scrolling for snapshots of the music, engaging speakers, and words of wisdom from Opening Convocation 2025!

Students received a hero鈥檚 welcome as they made their way into Lehman Auditorium for the ceremony. There were plenty of hugs and high-fives to go around!

As faculty and staff processed into Lehman as per tradition, they were treated to rhythmic djembe drumming led by Makinto, an Eastern Mennonite Seminary student and globetrotting musician. The talented multi-instrumentalist and worship leader energized the audience, leading everyone in a lively call-and-response of 鈥渨alk in peace,鈥� 鈥渢ogether we can,鈥� 鈥渁nd unity,鈥� and 鈥淓-M-U.鈥�

Members of the 黑料正能量 Chamber Singers, directed by Dr. Benjamin Bergey, lifted their voices together in a flawless rendition of the hymn, 鈥淭he Unclouded Day.鈥� Earlier this summer, the choir performed at venues across Europe and represented North America at the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism celebration in Z眉rich. 

Those attending Opening Convocation got a special treat as Dr. David Berry, director of the music program at 黑料正能量, debuted a new, rockin鈥� song written just for the occasion. Berry lit up the piano and delivered some fiery rap verses, while adjunct music instructors Jonah Barnett (guitar) jammed out on electric guitar and Tabatha Parrott (contemporary voice) wowed with her powerhouse vocals. 

Dr. Tynisha Willingham, provost and vice president of academic affairs at 黑料正能量, provided words of welcome and introduced the university theme for the year ahead. 鈥淔or those of you who are first-year students, you鈥檙e stepping into a world of endless possibilities, new friendships, and academic challenges. But you don鈥檛 have to do it alone because we do this thing at 黑料正能量 together,鈥� she said. 鈥溾�� 鈥楾ogether鈥� is a word you鈥檙e going to hear, see, and, I hope, feel in your mind. We will learn together, we will serve together, we will compete together, and, this year, we will sustain together.鈥�

Seniors Maria Longenecker and Leah Frankenfield, who are serving as Student Government Association co-presidents this year, introduced themselves and encouraged students to express their concerns. 鈥淭ogether, we鈥檙e committed to making sure each student feels that their voice matters and is heard on campus,鈥� said Longenecker. 鈥淲e strive to support all students, including our multicultural, athletic, international, commuter, first-gen, and everyone in between.鈥�

Claire Hurst, a third-year environmental science and public health major who spent the summer as a climate advocacy intern through the 黑料正能量 Washington Semester, shared her experiences and spoke on the importance of environmental sustainability. At its core, she said, environmental sustainability is about using resources in a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

鈥淔or me, a passion for the natural world has grown from countless summer nights camping under tall pine trees and Sunday afternoon hikes filled with laughter among friends and family. It feels natural to want to protect and give back to the places that have provided me such joy and fulfillment,鈥� she said. 鈥淎s we begin this fall semester, I encourage you all to think about how you connect and engage with our everyday spaces. 鈥� Anything that allows you to appreciate the environment will translate into wanting to protect it.鈥�

The Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus used the Opening Convocation, her first as 黑料正能量鈥檚 interim president, to talk about trees. She invited the members of the 黑料正能量 learning community to imagine themselves as trees and their lives together as a forest. She spoke about the interconnected root systems deep underground that anchor trees and absorb water and nutrients, the methods trees use to communicate stress and share resources, and the many ways they work in unison to sustain the forest as a whole鈥攏ot just themselves.

鈥淔orests don鈥檛 thrive because each tree is the tallest or the strongest; they flourish because they are connected.鈥� she said. 鈥満诹险芰�, we are a living forest, rooted in shared values and branching toward new possibilities. Every one of us鈥攕tudents, faculty, staff鈥攂rings something essential to this ecosystem.鈥�

Thank you to everyone who helped make Opening Convocation a spirited success, and we are excited to 鈥淪ustain Together鈥� this year!

Dr. Dycus has spent 15 years working in learning communities and ministry settings, including the past six years at 黑料正能量. 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 黑料正能量 Board of Trustees at a meeting on March 26. The decision followed a national search process that began after Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman, 黑料正能量鈥檚 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 黑料正能量 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 黑料正能量 administrator, and she is a trusted and gifted spiritual leader,鈥� said Peifer. 鈥淪hannon is committed to preparing 黑料正能量 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, 黑料正能量 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 黑料正能量 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 黑料正能量 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 黑料正能量 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 黑料正能量鈥檚 Safer Together office. She has worked with 黑料正能量 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 黑料正能量, 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, 黑料正能量 offers undergraduate, graduate and seminary degrees that prepare students to serve and lead in a global context. A leader among faith-based universities, 黑料正能量 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.

There鈥檚 a new morning talk show host in town, and she鈥檚 here to celebrate.

As a special Mornings with the Mayor edition of Convocation on Wednesday, Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed, director of alumni engagement and community connections at 黑料正能量, stepped into the role of host as she interviewed several trailblazing women leaders making their mark on campus. The one-of-a-kind program, held at the Student Union, celebrated Women鈥檚 History Month and paid tribute to departing 黑料正能量 President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman.

Reed steered the show with her trademark candor and panache, holding court over the 鈥渓ive studio audience鈥濃�攐ne student could be seen regularly holding up an 鈥淎pplause鈥� sign鈥攚hile she posed fascinating questions to 黑料正能量 students, staff, and alumnae. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the show where we bring you big energy, great conversations, and way too much coffee,鈥� quipped Reed.

The first guests to grace the stage were a pair of 黑料正能量 students, Arelys Martinez Fabian and Meredith Lehman, and a recent alumna, Ray Ray Taylor MS 鈥�24. Fabian, co-president of Student Government Association, highlighted the increased representation of women in campus leadership roles. Taylor, a lab instructor who was a track and field team, called for erasing negative stereotypes and for supporting women in sports. When asked about which woman in history she would share a meal with, Lehman, a Rhodes Scholar studying at Washington Community Scholars鈥� Center, answered that she had recently heard about Zheng Yi Sao, a pirate leader active in the South China Sea from 1801 to 1810. 鈥淪he was one of the most successful pirates in a time where you don’t really hear about female pirates,鈥� Lehman said. 鈥淚 would ask her where she pulls from to gain confidence and belief in herself鈥�

Another panel discussion featured three powerhouse administrative leaders who are 鈥渃hanging the game in education and beyond鈥�: Carrie Bert, Dr. Shannon Dycus, and Dr. Tynisha Willingham. Asked to provide her younger self advice, Bert, 黑料正能量 athletic director, said she would鈥檝e told her to pause and breathe to appreciate the moment. Dycus, vice president for Student Affairs, Equity and Belonging, shared some tough conversations she had when starting in her role about fighting hard to be heard. Willingham spoke about unique challenges she鈥檚 faced as a woman provost. “I think we often still see that even when women are in leadership roles, they are expected to be nurturing and can’t be as direct,鈥� she said.

Clad in her signature royal blue pantsuit, Huxman, the featured headliner for Reed鈥檚 morning show, bounded down the aisle and shined in the spotlight. Huxman is 黑料正能量鈥檚 ninth president, the first woman to lead in the role, and is retiring this summer after nine years of service. She joked about some unexpected lessons learned over those years. 鈥淚 started with a closet that had five blue outfits,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t’s half my closet now, skirts and outfits like this, and even shoes.鈥�

She also spoke about forming closer connections between the university and city, colloquially known as the 鈥渢own and gown relationship,鈥� during her time at 黑料正能量. Early on, she said, she had visited with elected officials, educators and business leaders who told her they had never stepped foot on 黑料正能量鈥檚 campus. 鈥淚 tried to work, especially in that first year, to get folks to campus,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 brought the delegates and our elected representatives up to my office. And, again, they said, 鈥榃ell, I’ve been an elected representative for 12, 15 years, and I’ve never been in the president’s office.鈥欌��

At a time when many colleges across the nation are shuttering their DEI programs, 黑料正能量 is doubling down on its commitment to the initiatives that bolster diversity, equity and inclusion and make all students on campus feel welcome. Huxman spoke about initiatives she鈥檚 witnessed over her two terms, including the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration started by Celeste Thomas during her second year as president, the Black Lives Matter mural鈥攖he only city in Virginia with a BLM street mural, Reed said鈥攖he establishment of the Office of DEI, the start of the Lavender Graduation, and the institutional statement on land acknowledgement. 鈥淚t is 黑料正能量’s time to lean into DEI,鈥� Huxman said. 鈥淚t’s wrapped into our mission, it’s wrapped into our vision and values, it’s wrapped into the Sermon on the Mount. And this is who we are as a faith-based institution.鈥�

Asked about which woman she would share a meal with, Huxman answered Ida B. Wells, a journalist and co-founder of the NAACP. 鈥淓very time I reread her biography, I just think, how did somebody walk the earth of this magnitude?鈥� said Huxman, regaling the crowd with tales of Wells鈥� accomplishments. 鈥溾� always think that, in a very real sense, the graduates from our university at 黑料正能量 are well-prepared to be peace and justice advocates like Ida B. Wells.鈥�

A special treat honoring the president was free for those attending the event. Baristas at Common Grounds Coffeehouse whipped up mugs of the 鈥淗ux Deluxe,鈥� a vanilla latte with a little cinnamon sugar on top. 鈥淚 love that it鈥檚 a latte and it has cinnamon on it,鈥� Huxman said. 鈥淪omebody knows I like that.鈥� 

The interviews were interspersed with video segments documenting powerful 黑料正能量 alumnae who are shaping the world. These included Khadija O. Ali MA 鈥�01, who became the first female state minister of the Somalian government and serves as an ambassador for the country, and Najla El Mangoush MA 鈥�15, who was the first female foreign minister of Libya. Another video showcased the legacy of the late Sadie Hartzler, 黑料正能量鈥檚 first full-time librarian whose name graces the library today.

Mukarabe, a student at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding who fled genocide in Burundi in 1993, read from a poem and led the crowd in a moment of silence for women persecuted around the world. She was joined by her husband Makinto, a student at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, as they performed music to cap off the event. Together, they shared 鈥淎mahoro,鈥� a Kirundi cultural expression conveying peace and God鈥檚 blessings, through song.

Braydon Hoover, vice president for enrollment, served as sidekick/announcer for 鈥淢ornings with the Mayor.鈥�