James E. Lyons, Sr. (born c. 1943) is an American academic administrator who has served as president of several historically black colleges and universities. He is a former president of Bowie State University, Jackson State University, and California State University, Dominguez Hills. Lyons was interim president of Dillard University, University of the District of Columbia, and Concordia College Alabama. He was a secretary of the Maryland Higher Education Commission.