HBCU Campaign Fund (HCF) Founder, President, and CEO Demetrius Johnson, Jr., has commenced the announcement of the honorees of the ninth class of The Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders of 2026. Joining retiring American Baptist College President Dr. Forest E. Harris, Sr., is Southern University System President Dennis J. Shields. Dr. Shields’ selection is a testament to his exceptional leadership, as he provides administrative oversight of five campuses of the only system of HBCUs. Furthermore, his unwavering commitment to the field of higher education is a significant factor in his recognition.

“Join me in celebrating the remarkable achievements of President Shields and this prestigious honor as a honoree of the ninth class of The Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders of 2026. President Shields holds the distinction of serving as the president of the only system of HBCUs. Southern University campuses are nationally recognized for their academic excellence. The Baton Rouge campus is particularly renowned for its award-winning nursing program, top-producing STEM programs, as well as its top-ranking law center and agricultural research. I commend the transformative work that continues to unfold at Southern University and extend my heartfelt wishes for continued success to the campus community. Congratulations, President Shields.”

– Demetrius Johnson, Jr., founder, President & CEO, HCF

The Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders Award & Class is a national recognition created by the HBCU Campaign Fund that identifies ten chancellors and presidents, and as of 2024, sports-affiliated individuals serving in the role at an HBCU, MSI, or affiliated with who exemplify a prominent and influential role in leadership and model the characteristics of following responsibilities in the progression of an institution or entity forward.

Under Dr. Shields’ leadership, each Southern University campus continues to advance, support, and promote economic, cultural, and workforce development initiatives that bring benefits beyond the borders of the great state of Louisiana. He identifies that the critical role of a leader is to purposefully crystalize the System and campuses’ priorities and strategies into a unified, understandable plan and to coordinate its execution.

As president of the only system of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States, President Shields is charged with the administrative insight of five campuses in Louisiana – Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Southern University at New Orleans, Southern University Shreveport, and Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Baton Rouge.

With more than 40 years of serving higher education institutions, Shields’ professional career roles include chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and vice president of student affairs at The City College of New York City. He has also held administrative positions in admissions at the University of Iowa College of Law, University of Michigan Law School, Duke University School of Law, and teaching and deanship positions at the Phoenix School of Law.

Shields earned his undergraduate degree in business from Graceland College (now Graceland University) in Lamoni, Iowa, and his juris doctor from the University of Iowa College of Law.

The honorees of The Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders of 2026 and Ninth Class will be fully announced in early 2026.

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About the HBCU Campaign Fund
The HBCU Campaign Fund (HCF) was founded in 2012 and is one of the nation’s minority educational organizations. HCF remains a strong advocate for students and higher education. The mission of HCF is to support the significance and raise funds for scholarships, programs, and for private and public HBCUs and MSIs. For more information, visit www.hbcucampaignfund.org.