The University of Mississippi Graduate School

Increasing school's diversity a top goal for two new deans Associate Dean Christy Wyandt and Assistant Dean Tyrus McCarty have been working hard during their first year as Graduate School administrators.

"I am very pleased that Drs. Wyandt and McCarty have joined our administrative staff," said Maurice Eftink, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and Graduate School dean. "Both have broad experience at the University and with graduate education."

In 1987, Assistant Dean Tyrus McCarty became the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in engineering from The University of Mississippi. His association with the University continued as he joined the faculty of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Since that time, in addition to his teaching duties, McCarty has been heavily involved in University affairs, serving as administrator of special affairs for the School of Engineering and on numerous committees.

Thus far, McCarty is enjoying the demands of his new role. "The position gives me the opportunity to meet, interact with, and learn from a broad spectrum of UM faculty, staff, and students," McCarty said.

Beyond daily operations, McCarty is working to promote diversity and inclusion among the graduate student body.

Associate Dean Christy M. Wyandt also views the promotion of diversity as a top priority. "Our goal is to increase the number of well-qualified graduate students enrolled in our programs," said Wyandt. "This means increasing the diversity of the graduate student body, and increasing support for graduate education on our campus."

Like McCarty, Wyandt joined the Graduate School administration from the UM faculty. After earning her Ph.D. in pharmaceutics from the University of Iowa and working as a senior research scientist in the private sector, Wyandt accepted a teaching position in the School of Pharmacy in 1989. From this post, Wyandt continued her impressive research program, authoring or co-authoring 37 published manuscripts and presenting 44 papers at national and international conferences. She has served as chair of the pharmaceutics department for the last four years.

Wyandt believes UM provides a special graduate environment. "Graduate students in our programs have unusual access to their faculty mentors. Students are supported by an excellent graduate faculty and an active Graduate Student Council."