SC State dean receives American Association of Blacks in Higher Education’s Legacy Award

 

ORANGEBURG, S.C. – South Carolina State University’s Dr. M. Evelyn Fields was honored with the Legacy Award at the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education (AABHE) National Conference in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, March 30.

Fields is dean of SC State’s College of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences and professor of early childhood education. She was honored for her distinguished leadership and her enduring commitment to higher education.

She has served on the AABHE’s board for the past 15 years, including a term as national president from 2017-2019 and her current role as parliamentarian.

As does AABHE, Fields believes in fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, that “empowers professionals in higher education to excel as experts, strategically navigate career opportunities and emerge as future leaders in the field."

Recognizing the need, Fields encouraged the audience of higher education professionals -- if they had not -- to spend some time working at or with a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), where they will find “their culture and the reverence of the academy.”

Fields has served the state of South Carolina for over 39 years. Over the past 25 years, Fields has served in numerous roles at SC State. She has served as director of Head Start Education, program coordinator of child development, chair of the Department of Teacher Education and interim associate provost for faculty and programs. Fields also chaired the SC State Graduate Studies Council and was the 2017 SC State Professor of the Year.

In professional service, Fields has served as president of the South Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children and President of the SC Conference of University Professors. Fields also serves as vice chair of the South Carolina Dean’s Alliance.

Over the years, Fields has secured and managed millions of dollars in grant funding and continues to make contributions in her research area of expertise in teacher education.

She earned her Master of Education and Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina in early childhood education.