Dr. Lisa Mims-Devezin has more than 20 years of experience in higher education.

Before being named Chancellor in 2016, she was the dean of SUNO’s College of Arts and Sciences. She served as the college’s associate dean for eight years. A SUNO alumna and professor of Biology, Dr. Mims-Devezin earned her Ph.D. in Science and Math Education in 2004. She decided to devote her career to education because of her love for teaching, and attributes her success to hard work, dedication, commitment to excellence and a passion for her profession.

Dr. Mims-Devezin has served as the state articulation officer through the Louisiana Board of Regents for more than 20 years and is a member of the General Education Committee. She has assisted with the implementation of transfer degree policies and articulation agreements between SUNO and state institutions, and has served as a mentor to numerous students and faculty over the years. Many of those students have completed graduate and professional schools or are currently enrolled in graduate programs. 

In 2008, Dr. Mims-Devezin was inducted into the Cambridge Who’s Who Executive, Professional and Entrepreneurial Registry for showing dedication, leadership and excellence in all aspects of higher education. In 2009, she received the Thurgood Marshall Distinguished Faculty Award. She also has been awarded numerous accolades and Certificates of Appreciation for successfully assisting the institution with SACS reaffirmation without recommendations, serving on the advisory board of the Honore’ Center, being a pioneer in online teaching and learning and, most importantly, writing the proposal for the Health Information Management Systems Program, which was accredited in 2013.

Dr. Mims-Devezin is affiliated with numerous organizations, such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the National Institute of Science, the National Science Teachers Association, American Society for Microbiology, Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Honor Society and Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society. She is a past recipient of the university’s Most Outstanding Grant Writer Award, Most Funded Proposals, College of Science’s Mentor of the Year Award and the Award for Teaching Excellence.

A native of Long Beach, CA, Dr. Mims-Devezin is the daughter of Yolanda Lee Mims and the late Leo Mims. She and her husband, Jerome J. Devezin Jr., have one son, Joshua Jerome Devezin.