Tisa A. Mason (born February 8, 1961) is an American educator and the current president of Fort Hays State University. Prior to her presidency at Fort Hays State, Mason served as

Valley City State University Valley City State University (VCSU) is a public university in Valley City, North Dakota. It is part of the North Dakota University System. Founded in 1890 as Valley City State Normal School, a two-year teachers' college, it was authorized to confe ...

's president from December 15, 2014 to December 15, 2017. Mason served as Fort Hays State's vice president of student affairs July 2008 to December 2014.

Biography

Education

Born in

Palmer, Massachusetts Palmer is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 12,448 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. Palmer adopted a home rule charter in 2004 with a counc ...

, Mason graduated from

Classical High School Classical High School, founded in 1843, is a public magnet school in the Providence School District, in Providence, Rhode Island. It was originally an all-male school but has since become co-ed. Classical's motto is ''Certare, Petere, Reperire, ...

in 1979 and went on to receive her bachelor's of arts with

Omicron Delta Kappa Omicron Delta Kappa (), also known as The Circle and ODK, is one of the most prestigious honor societies in the United States with chapters at more than 300 college campuses. It was founded December 3, 1914, at Washington and Lee University in ...

honors from

Transylvania University Transylvania University is a private university in Lexington, Kentucky. It was founded in 1780 and was the first university in Kentucky. It offers 46 major programs, as well as dual-degree engineering programs, and is accredited by the Southern ...

in 1983 majoring in sociology/anthropology. In 1984, Mason completed her master's degree at

Eastern Illinois University Eastern Illinois University is a public university in Charleston, Illinois. Established in 1895 as the Eastern Illinois State Normal School, a teacher's college offering a two-year degree, Eastern Illinois University gradually expanded into a co ...

, as well as her education doctorate from the

College of William and Mary The College of William & Mary (officially The College of William and Mary in Virginia, abbreviated as William & Mary, W&M) is a public research university in Williamsburg, Virginia. Founded in 1693 by letters patent issued by King William III a ...

in 1992.

Career

After graduating from Transylvania University, Mason served as the assistant dean of students at

Hanover College Hanover College is a private college in Hanover, Indiana, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Founded in 1827 by Reverend John Finley Crowe, it is Indiana's oldest private college. The Hanover athletic teams participate in the H ...

, a position she held from 1984 to 1986. From 1986 to 1994, Mason was served as the student life director and as an assistant professor at

Christopher Newport University Christopher Newport University (CNU) is a public university in Newport News, Virginia. It was founded in 1960 and is named after Christopher Newport, captain of Susan Constant, one of the ships which carried settlers of Jamestown, Virginia, Jam ...

. Following an eight-year stint at CNU, Mason served as the executive director for

Sigma Kappa Sigma Kappa (, also known as SK or Sig Kap) is a sorority founded on November 9, 1874 at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. In 1874, Sigma Kappa was founded by five women: Mary Caffrey Low Carver, Elizabeth Gorham Hoag, Ida Mabel Fuller Pierce, ...

, the national headquarters of her sorority from college. On July 1, 2004, Mason assumed the position as the

University of Wisconsin–Whitewater The University of Wisconsin–Whitewater (UW–Whitewater) is a public university in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It is part of the University of Wisconsin System. Student enrollment in the 2014–2015 academic year was more than 12,000. The universit ...

's dean of student life, a position she held until June 2008. On July 1, 2008, Mason became the student affairs vice president at Fort Hays State University, a position she would hold for six years.

Valley City State University

On October 30, 2014, Mason was named

's 13th president. While at VCSU, Mason was able to increase the enrollment numbers – setting a school record – and brought in more revenue into the budget. Mason left VCSU on December 15, 2017 as she was named the president of Fort Hays State University.

References

External links

Biography
– Fort Hays State University {{DEFAULTSORT:Mason, Tisa Presidents of Fort Hays State University Presidents of Valley City State University University of Wisconsin–Whitewater faculty Hanover College faculty College of William & Mary alumni Eastern Illinois University alumni Transylvania University alumni Educators from Kansas American women educators Living people People from Palmer, Massachusetts 1961 births Women heads of universities and colleges