Dennis Shields has been let go from his role as president of the Southern University System and chancellor of Southern University and A&M College. No reason was given for the decision by the board.
Shields began his tenure at Southern in 2022, following 12 years of service as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Earlier, he held administrative positions in admissions at the University of Iowa College of Law, University of Michigan Law School, and the Duke University School of Law. He has also held a deanship and a teaching position at Phoenix School of Law and acted as the vice president for student affairs at The City College of New York. Shields earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Graceland College and his law degree from the University of Iowa.
According to Tony Clayton, chair of Southern’s board of supervisors, Shields will join the HBCU’s law school faculty after a sabbatical. Following the selection of an interim president, the board plans to form a search committee in early 2026 to find Shield’s permanent successor.
When are these so-called educated native-born Black American HBCU upper echelon administrators (i.e., Board of Supervisors) going to learn to STOP hiring these Black higher education personnel with these DAMN lily-White higher education backgrounds. As a DAMN RESULT, ‘these people’ turn out not being a “good fit” for our beloved HBCUs. I find it even more insulting and egregious these SPINELESS so-called Black decision makers at Southern University and A&M College would OFFER Mr. Shields him a DAMN job at the Southern University Law Center.
In close, what really needs to happen is that Mr. Shields should be placed on a DAMN permanent SABBATICAL.
Great educator and colleague. Onward!
Hey Tate,
Your misguided and birdbrained comment is what’s the main problem in higher education and especially amongst so-called Black upper echelon administrators. Why do HBCUs continue to REWARD faculty members or upper echelon administrators for sub-par performance? This higher education madness needs to STOP because it literally dismantles HBCUs form within.