Sonja O. Stills has been a transformative leader within the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) for more than two decades and, on January 1, 2022, made history as the first female Commissioner in conference history and the first woman to lead a Division I Historically Black College and University (HBCU) conference. Her tenure has been defined by a steadfast commitment to institutional stability, strategic innovation, student-athlete success, and positioning the MEAC for sustained growth in an ever-evolving collegiate athletics landscape.
Under Stills' leadership, the MEAC has expanded to 16 championship sports, completed live broadcasts for every conference championship, strengthened national media and corporate partnerships, and significantly enhanced the conference's financial position and national visibility. Through strategic planning, innovative programming, and collaborative leadership, she has elevated the MEAC's brand while creating new opportunities for its member institutions and student-athletes.
In recognition of her visionary leadership and impact on intercollegiate athletics, Stills was named the Women Leaders in Sports 2025 Nike Executive of the Year, one of numerous national honors recognizing her influence across college sports. She has also been recognized by Sports Illustrated as one of the 100 Influential Black Women in Sports, honored by Sports Business Journal as a Leader in Diversity and Inclusive Hiring, received the ESSENCE Black Women in Sports Leadership Award, and has been repeatedly recognized among Coastal Virginia Magazine's Most Influential Leaders. Her leadership continues to elevate not only the MEAC, but also the national profile of HBCU athletics.
As Commissioner, Stills has led the conference through a period of unprecedented growth and modernization. She spearheaded the development and implementation of the MEAC Strategic and Long-Range Plan, aligning member institutions around measurable goals in governance, championships, academics, financial sustainability, and external engagement. Her leadership has strengthened conference operations while emphasizing transparency, collaboration, and long-term strategic investment.
At the national level, Stills has emerged as one of the leading advocates for HBCU athletics. Through her leadership within the HBC4U Alliance and the College Commissioners Association, where she serves as FCS Chair, she has worked collaboratively with fellow commissioners, the NCAA, federal lawmakers, and the Congressional Black Caucus to advance legislation and policy surrounding Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), student-athlete employment, and issues affecting historically underfunded institutions. Her advocacy has included coordinated lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill, participation in national legislative discussions, and testimony during proceedings involving student-athlete employment, ensuring HBCU perspectives remain central in shaping the future of collegiate athletics.
A signature accomplishment of her administration has been the continued elevation of the MEAC's media presence and championship portfolio. Stills oversaw the development of the conference's in-house digital production studio and the evolution of the MEAC Digital Network into the MEAC Network, significantly expanding the conference's multimedia capabilities and streaming platform. Under her leadership, every MEAC championship is now broadcast live, increasing visibility for student-athletes and member institutions. She also introduced numerous first-of-their-kind programming initiatives, including in-studio editions of MEAC Countdown to Kickoff on ESPN+, livestreamed football coaches' press conferences, Basketball Media Day broadcasts on ESPN+, and the conference's first Spanish-language football simulcast.
Stills has also strengthened the conference's championship events and strategic partnerships. She negotiated the renewal and expansion of the MEAC Basketball Tournament agreement with the City of Norfolk, reinforcing the tournament's importance as both a premier sporting event and a significant economic and cultural asset for the region. She has also overseen the renewal of the conference's multimedia partnership with ESPN and the extension of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff and Celebration Bowl agreements with ESPN Events through 2032, ensuring continued national exposure for the conference and its member institutions.
Innovation has remained a hallmark of Stills' leadership. She launched the MEAC's esports initiative, guiding the conference through its inaugural season of competition and first in-person championship. She also led the expansion of the conference's championship portfolio with the addition of women's golf and women's flag football, increasing the conference's sponsorship to 16 championship sports and creating new competitive opportunities for student-athletes.
Student-athlete well-being and leadership development have remained central priorities throughout her tenure. Stills expanded conference-wide mental health programming, established the Dr. Dennis E. Thomas Student Leadership Symposium, launched the Student Content Creators Program, and created the Guardians of the Game Awards to recognize women making meaningful contributions behind the scenes in collegiate athletics. She has also strengthened the conference's commitment to leadership development by overseeing the Women in Athletics Professional Development Workshop and the Girls on the Gridiron Women's Flag Football Clinic, expanding opportunities for professional growth, mentorship, and engagement throughout the MEAC.
Her commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community engagement has further strengthened the conference's institutional identity. Stills created MEAC Nation, launched the conference's We Are MEAC diversity and inclusion initiative, established the Hispanic/Latin Student-Athlete Committee, and led conference-wide programming recognizing Title IX, Women's History Month, Pride Month, Black Business Month, and other initiatives celebrating the diverse communities represented throughout the conference.
Financial growth and strategic partnerships have also flourished under her leadership. Stills established the MEAC Foundation, secured its first major gift, and later negotiated a landmark four-year, $1.04 million partnership with Wells Fargo that significantly expanded scholarship opportunities and conference programming. Through the foundation, the conference has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships while creating signature fundraising events such as the inaugural MEAC Foundation Sneaker Ball. She has also cultivated strategic relationships with organizations including Disney on the Yard, Nike, Coca-Cola, The Home Depot, iHeartRadio, TowneBank, and numerous corporate partners that have enhanced both revenue generation and student opportunities.
Before being named Commissioner, Stills served the MEAC in several executive leadership roles, most recently as Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer, where she directed conference operations, strategic planning, budgeting, branding, hiring, and championship administration. Across more than two decades with the conference, she has played a pivotal role in strengthening governance, expanding partnerships, modernizing operations, and elevating the MEAC's national reputation.
Prior to joining the conference office, Stills served at Hampton University as Coordinator of Athletic Academic Support and Senior Woman Administrator after beginning her career as Assistant Dean of Women. During her tenure, she established Hampton University's first Athletic Academic Support Program and implemented the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program, laying the foundation for a career dedicated to student-athlete development, academic excellence, and leadership.
Today, Stills remains committed to advancing the mission of the MEAC by strengthening its member institutions, expanding opportunities for student-athletes, fostering innovation, and ensuring Historically Black Colleges and Universities continue to have a strong and influential voice in the future of Division I athletics.
Education
Stills earned a bachelor's degree in Human Services Counseling from Old Dominion University and a Master of Arts in Counseling (College Student Work Personnel) from Hampton University. She is a graduate of the Sports Management Institute and the NACWAA/HERS Institute for Administrative Advancement.
Professional Affiliations
Stills serves as FCS Chair for the College Commissioners Association and is an active member of the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association, HBC4U Alliance, Doug Williams Center Advisory Board, National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and Women Leaders in Sports. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.