President Lundeen
The Inauguration of Dr. Shannon B. Lundeen, 25th President of Stephens College
March 12-14, 2026
Future Focused. Tradition Inspired.
An inauguration marks the formal installation of a college president. The event is traditionally held during the president’s first year in office. The inauguration refers to the entire day or week’s events celebrating President Lundeen, which includes the formal academic ceremony, also known as an investiture ceremony.
Investiture Highlights
Congratulations to Dr. Shannon B. Lundeen, 25th President of Stephens College
Stephens College proudly celebrated the inauguration of Dr. Shannon B. Lundeen as its 25th president during a three‑day series of events held March 12–14, 2026. The inauguration, themed “Future Focused. Tradition Inspired.”, marked the formal installation of President Lundeen and honored both Stephens’ historic legacy and its bold, forward‑looking vision.
An inauguration represents one of the most significant traditions in higher education. At Stephens, the celebration reflected the College’s enduring commitment to academic excellence, women’s leadership, and transformative education.
Under President Lundeen’s guidance, Stephens is embracing a future shaped by three foundational pillars that will guide institutional growth, strengthen community impact, and ensure long‑term success.
Faculty, students, alumnae, trustees, community leaders, and friends of the College gathered across campus to commemorate this milestone moment, affirming a shared dedication to innovation, collaboration, and the enduring spirit of Stephens.
View the official investiture program, including the ceremony order, participants, and featured speakers.
About President Lundeen
Dr. Shannon B. Lundeen is the 25th president of Stephens College. She took office on June 1, 2025, after serving as the Vice President of Programs and Operations at HERS (Higher Education Resource Services). In that role, Lundeen oversaw program development, delivery, admissions and assessment, as well as organizational operations, including human resources, marketing, recruitment, and alumni engagement. During her time at HERS, she had been instrumental in advancing initiatives that promote inclusive excellence and bold leadership in higher education.
Lundeen has held several key positions at renowned institutions, including Associate Director of the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program and the Alice Paul Center at the University of Pennsylvania, where she developed curricula, organized events, and fostered interdisciplinary partnerships. She later became Director of the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women at Case Western Reserve University, where she led the center’s growth, fundraising, and gender equity initiatives. In 2015, Lundeen joined Elon University as the inaugural Director of Academic-Residential Partnerships, where she executed a vision for integrative learning that contributed to the university’s national recognition. She holds a PhD and MA in Philosophy from Stony Brook University and has made significant scholarly contributions ranging from feminist bioethics to inclusive education.
Inauguration Programming
Take a look at the exciting campus-wide events and activations that played an important part in making the week of Dr. Lundeen’s inauguration special.
Thursday, March 12
Student Celebration
“Illuminating Our Ideals: A New Era of Stephens”
Students kicked off the festivities with an event honoring Stephens’ values and the collective energy shaping its next chapter.
Friday, March 13
Stars of Stephens Leadership Luncheon
Campus and community leaders came together to celebrate President Lundeen’s leadership and the College’s vision for the future.
Saturday, March 14
Investiture Ceremony & Reception
The formal investiture ceremony installed Dr. Lundeen as the 25th president of Stephens College, followed by a celebratory reception with the campus community.
“Dr. Shannon Lundeen is the right leader for this pivotal moment in Stephens’ history. Her visionary leadership, strategic insight, and deep commitment to women’s education position Stephens College to thrive in a rapidly changing world — while honoring the values and legacy that make this institution extraordinary. The Board has full confidence in her ability to guide Stephens into its next era of excellence.”
– Vice Admiral Nancy Brown, Chair of the Board of Trustees
In the News
Stephens College welcomes Shannon Lundeen as its 25th president
The Columbia Missourian featured coverage of the Investiture of Dr. Shannon B. Lundeen, 25th President of Stephens College. (Columbia Missourian, Mar 14, 2026)
New Stephens College president says she will be future focused, tradition inspired
KOMU 8 featured the Investiture of Dr. Shannon B. Lundeen, 25th President of Stephens College. (KOMU 8 News, Mar 14, 2026)
Stephens College is set to inaugurate its 25th president this weekend.
KXEO featured coverage of the upcoming Investiture of Dr. Shannon B. Lundeen, 25th President of Stephens College. (KXEO News, Mar 13, 2026)
Thank You to our Donors & Sponsors!
A special thank you to our donors and sponsors for your generous support and commitment to making the Inauguration of President Shannon B. Lundeen possible.
Your partnership has helped bring this historic celebration to life—an event that honors both our proud traditions and our bold vision for the future. By investing in the inauguration, you stand alongside President Lundeen in advancing Stephens College’s mission: “Future Focused. Tradition Inspired.” Your support strengthens the students, programs, and spaces that will shape the next era of Stephens excellence.
We are deeply grateful for your kindness and your belief in the transformative power of a Stephens education. Your generosity fuels our progress, empowers our community, and helps us achieve our shared goals. Thank you for helping make this momentous occasion a reality.
Kathleen Allen ’64
Alumnae Club of Northern California
Jane Bensussen ’65
Jennifer Brinkman-Ayers ’92 & John Ayers
Margaret S. Barbour ’60
Roxanne Booth ’84
VADM Nancy Brown ’73
Sara Crosby ’76
Katherine Dietzen ’86
Jennifer Flaks ’03
David Fleming
Daryll Griffin ’72
Margaret Grise
Carol Grove ’87
Shatenita Horton ’06
Judy Lipham ’64
Lois Luallin ’58
Robert & Monica Lundeen
Rajah Maples ’97
Kelley & Aaron Marchbanks
Donna Marshall ’58
Erika Menn ’09
Karen Miller ’06
Kimberly Mize ‘90
M. Anne Murphy ’78
Anita Parran ’73
Stacy Peters ’81
Christy Hanahan Powell ’68 & Earl Powell
Vicki Russell
Dr. Sharon F. Schattgen ’77
Valerie Shaw ’00
Dylan Shelofsky ’13
Stacye Smith ’86
Mary Ann Sprinkle ’84
Mark Taylor ’73
Silissa Uriarte-Smith ’98
Ellen Vollrath ’86
Lindsey Weber ’08
Lynda Webster ’78
Jennifer Wilder ’94
Brett Williamson
Ana Ximenes ’83
Jean Zunkel ’64
Support Stephens College
By supporting the inauguration, you stand with President Lundeen – investing in students, programs, and spaces that will carry Stephens College “Future Focused. Tradition Inspired”.