AASCU - American Association of State Colleges and Universities
05/08/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/08/2026 07:22
Statement on the Passing of Mary Evans Sias
Contact:
Kellee Edmonds
(202) 478-4662
[email protected]
WASHINGTON, May 8, 2026-The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) mourns the passing of Dr. Mary Evans Sias, a formidable higher education leader, administrator, and longtime champion of developing and empowering the next generation of college and university presidents. She died on May 6.
From 2015-21, Dr. Sias served as director of AASCU's Millennium Leadership Initiative (MLI), helping guide and mentor more than 200 senior academic and administrative leaders as they prepared for college and university presidencies. Through her steadfast leadership, extraordinary fundraising efforts, and deep commitment to expanding opportunity, MLI strengthened its support for aspiring leaders through scholarships, mentoring, and executive coaching that was unparalleled.
Dr. Sias served as president of Kentucky State University from 2004-14 and most recently as interim president of Texas Southern University (TSU) from 2023-24 after also serving on the TSU Board of Regents. She held leadership positions with numerous national organizations, including board chair of both AASCU and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.
Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Sias was lauded for her integrity, resilience, and a never-ending dedication to students and to mentoring future leaders in higher education. Her influence will continue to be felt through the many presidents, chancellors, and senior leaders she supported and inspired through MLI and across the higher education community.
She was a true force for higher education. I was honored to know her, work with her, and learn from her. She was a trusted colleague and, more importantly, a valued friend. Her passing is a huge loss for so many whose lives she influenced and improved. AASCU extends its deepest condolences to Dr. Sias' husband, Shadrach, their daughter, Adrienne, and the many colleagues, students, alumni, and friends whose lives she touched through her decades of service and leadership.
Tributes to Dr. Sias
Muriel Howard, former AASCU President
"We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Mary Evans Sias. She was an amazing woman, leader, colleague, and friend. Her commitment and devotion to public higher education, and especially the Millennium Leadership Initiative, are worthy of emulation. We extend our deepest sympathy to her husband, Shad, and all of her family. May the example that she set long continue to influence and inspire us."
Charlie Nelms, MLI Co-Founder
"The Millennium Leadership Initiative family is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Mary Sias. Dr. Sias was a visionary leader who believed profoundly in the transformative power of education. She led with clarity of purpose, indefatigable passion, and unwavering integrity. Her legacy will continue to inspire members of the MLI community and countless others for generations to come."
Tomikia P. LeGrande, President, Prairie View A&M University
"Dr. Sias' legacy as a respected higher education leader, university president, and devoted community servant is widely recognized. Yet, to me, she will always be the mother of presidential leadership development. As the director of AASCU's Millennium Leadership Initiative from 2015-21, Dr. Sias shaped and prepared countless current, former, and aspiring presidents throughout her career-and I am one of them. Because of her generous mentorship and steadfast sponsorship, I am proud to stand among the collective we lovingly call 'Mary's Children.' Learning from Dr. Sias strengthened my leadership, enriched my career, and elevated my overall quality of life. I am deeply grateful to have shared time and space with her, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family and to all who knew and loved her."
Karrie G. Dixon, Chancellor, North Carolina Central University
"Dr. Mary Sias was a remarkable leader whose wisdom, grace, and commitment to higher education left a lasting impact on my leadership journey. She exemplified what it means to lead with courage, authenticity, and purpose, and her example inspired me deeply both personally and professionally. Her legacy will continue through the many lives she touched and the leaders she mentored. I am truly grateful for her guidance and her enduring belief in the power of higher education to transform lives."
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The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association that represents the sector of over 500 regional public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to serving today's students, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions' economic progress and cultural development. These are institutions delivering America's promise.
AASCU - American Association of State Colleges and Universities published this content on May 08, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 08, 2026 at 13:22 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]