Southern University System Selected Three Finalists
The board will now interview these candidates to lead the system and oversee operations at its three campuses.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in People
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The Southern University System Presidential Search Committee has named three finalists to lead the institution. These candidates will now interview with the Board of Supervisors to determine who will permanently replace former president Dennis J. Shields.
Why it matters
Selecting a new president is a critical transition for the 12,000-student system, which must maintain continuity across its campuses in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport. This hire will set the long-term operational and strategic direction for the university.
The system serves a population of more than 12,000 students across three major Louisiana campus locations. A search committee has narrowed the field to 3 finalists to succeed the former president.
The players
Dennis J. Shields
The former president of the Southern University System who concluded his tenure at the end of 2025.
Orlando F. McMeans
The interim president who has managed the system's executive operations since January 1, 2026.
Brian K. Bridges
An academic administrator who served as the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education from 2020 through 2025.
Roscoe Jones
The dean of Drake University Law School who assumed the leadership role on July 1, 2024.
Larissa Littleton-Steib
The chancellor of Delgado Community College who has held the leadership post since 2019.
The details
The search committee has finished the initial selection process, identifying three candidates to advance to the final stage. The Board of Supervisors now takes responsibility for conducting interviews and evaluating each candidate's experience before making a final hiring decision. Orlando F. McMeans has served as interim president since January 1, 2026, to manage the transition period following the departure of Dennis J. Shields.
Timeline
2019: Larissa Littleton-Steib became chancellor of Delgado Community College.
November 16, 2020: Brian K. Bridges became New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education.
July 1, 2024: Roscoe Jones began his tenure as dean of Drake University Law School.
December 31, 2025: Brian K. Bridges left his state role and Dennis J. Shields concluded his presidency.
January 1, 2026: Orlando F. McMeans began serving as interim president.
Market Landscape
This selection process follows the conclusion of the 2025 presidential leadership transition at the Southern University System. The move aligns with standard executive search protocols used to fill top-level administrative vacancies in large public systems.
Operators should monitor the upcoming board interviews for signals regarding the new president's approach to state-wide education policy and campus expansion. The final selection will likely dictate future procurement and hiring priorities across the system's three primary locations.
The takeaway
Executive transitions at public institutions often signal upcoming shifts in institutional budget priorities and vendor engagement strategies. Stakeholders should track the official announcement from the Board of Supervisors regarding the final hiring decision to adjust their outreach accordingly.
Further reading
Learn more about organizational leadership transitions in People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education.
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