Lydia Pye Huston (PS ‘18) Takes Time to Pursue Her Degree and Her Passion

Not all educational journeys are the same. For Lydia Pye Huston (PS ’18), earning her Saint Louis University degree was a three-decade-long endeavor, and it’s one that she is incredibly grateful to have pursued, she said.

"My path was not a traditional one — it took me 32 years,” said Pye Huston. “I started at Saint Louis University as a freshman, and by my sophomore year, I was married and had a child. Years later, someone at SLU called to let me know that I could go back to graduate from the University.”

Pye Huston chose to take SLU up on its offer, and she hasn’t looked back since.

The School for Professional Studies worked with her to develop a plan to finish her bachelor’s degree in organizational studies, understanding the unique challenges she faced as a nontraditional student, she said. Returning to SLU launched an ongoing relationship with the University that helped shape her career as a certified fundraising executive (CFRE).

In November 2025, Pye Huston was appointed as the executive director of the Kwame Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Kwame Building Group, where she leads the organization’s efforts to endow scholarships primarily to HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), she said.

Pye Huston’s commitment to elevating others doesn’t stop there. She is also an active member of SLU’s Black Alumni Association (BAA) board, fostering diversity outreach and awareness for students across campus.

“After graduating from SLU, my connection to the University has only grown stronger,” Pye Huston said. “Serving on the BAA board allows me to stay involved, engaging other alumni to ensure the University continues to be a place of belonging for students of color. Whether it’s attending monthly events or coming back for Homecoming and Family Weekend, I'm proud to call myself a Billiken.”