Mississippi Educator Chosen to Head Cal State Campus

James E. Lyons Sr., president of Jackson State University in Mississippi, was named Wednesday as the new president of Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson.

The California State University Board of Trustees picked Lyons after a nine-month nationwide search for a new leader of the campus of 12,000 students.

Lyons, 55, was unavailable for comment Wednesday because he was jetting back to Jackson State.

In a statement, though, he said he was delighted to join the Cal State system--the nation’s largest consortium of universities--and looks forward to challenges and opportunities “at such a diverse campus.”

Charles B. Reed, chancellor of the 22-campus system, said that Lyons stood out from other candidates because of his 16 years of experience as a campus president.

More important, Reed said, Lyons showed enthusiasm and appreciation for the campus’ role in helping students from poor neighborhoods in and around South Los Angeles realize their dreams of a college education. “He understands what it takes to focus on students who may not be well prepared and what it takes to get them there when they graduate.”

Jackson State, meanwhile, was in shock Wednesday upon learning of the loss of its popular president. Lyons, who has led the 6,300-student campus since 1992, was known for his unpretentious manner and ambitious plans to expand and renovate the campus in the Mississippi capital.

“He’s always out and about,” said Olivia Thomas, a Jackson State spokeswoman. “He manages by getting around campus and talking to people and finding out what’s going on.”

Before joining Jackson State, Lyons spent nine years as president of Bowie State University in Bowie, Md., and had other management stints at Delaware State College, Barber-Scotia College and Fayetteville State University, both in North Carolina. Like Jackson State, these institutions are historically black colleges and universities.

He has also worked at Kentucky State University, the University of Connecticut, Central Connecticut State College and Temple University in Pennsylvania.

Born in New Haven, Conn., he earned his bachelor’s degree in Spanish, master’s degree in student personnel and doctorate in higher education administration--all at the University of Connecticut.

Lyons, married with three grown children, will begin his new duties July 1. He replaces interim Dominguez Hills President Herbert L. Carter, who took the helm after Robert Detweiler resigned under pressure last summer after a critical state audit.