Dr. Mary Evans Sias
President
Kentucky State University
Mary Evans Sias is the 13th president of Kentucky State University.
Under Dr. Sias’ leadership since April 2004, Kentucky State University has expanded its use of emerging technologies to enhance the living and learning experience of students and streamlined business operations; increased enrollment; and embraced sustainability. The University also has added new undergraduate and graduate programs and refocused its study abroad and community-service programs, acknowledging that thriving in the 2st century means being able to work with and understand a diversity of people.
Dr. Sias is currently leading KSU’s $12.5 million capital campaign – “Uniting Generations ... Securing Futures.” The five-year campaign goal will fund scholarships, endowments and improvements to the campus’ athletic infrastructure.
Prior to Kentucky State University, Dr. Sias was the associate provost and senior vice president for student affairs and external relations at the University of Texas at Dallas, from 1994 to 2004. She was also the chief executive officer of the YWCA of Metropolitan Dallas for 13 years before joining the UTD administration.
An engaged member of the Frankfort community, Dr. Sias sits on the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Woman’s Club of Frankfort and the Frankfort-Lexington Chapter of the Links, Inc.
Dr. Sias serves on several national boards dedicated to resolving issues surrounding and advocating for higher education. She currently chairs the board of directors of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) where she also sits on the executive steering committee for the Millennium Leadership Institute. Dr. Sias also recently stepped down as chair of the board of directors of the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU) where she continues to serve as a member of the Commission on Access, Diversity and Excellence.
She sits on the board of directors of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, chairs the Council of Presidents of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association, serves on the executive committee of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, is a member of the U.S. Department Agriculture 1890 Task Force, and recently served on the Commission on Educational Attainment under the umbrella of the American Council on Education.
Her involvement at the state level includes serving as a legislatively appointed member of the Kentucky Agriculture Development Board.
Dr. Sias is married to Mr. Shadrach Sias and they have one daughter, Adrienne.