Maureen Ryan Named University of Southern Mississippi Distinguished Professor, Special Assistant to the Provost

Dr. Maureen Ryan has filled many leadership roles advancing the academic mission of The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) over more than three decades. Now, she'll have a role in shaping its future.

USM Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Steven R. Moser, has announced the appointment of Ryan as one of the University's Distinguished Professors for the academic year beginning in August, as well as her new role as a special assistant to the Provost.

As special assistant to the Provost, Ryan will further the institution's goals related to the Plan for Academic Reorganization, Vision 2020.

“I am thrilled that Dr. Ryan will continue to serve the University. She has a long and distinguished track record as a scholar, teacher and administrator,” Moser said. “Her expertise and experience will serve the institution well as we implement the Plan for Academic Reorganization.”

Ryan has served as the Dean of the College of Arts and Letters for two years, a role she began in an interim capacity in 2015. She is a Professor of English who teaches and writes about modern and contemporary American literature. Her publications include “The Other Side of Grief: The Home Front and the Aftermath in American Narratives of the Vietnam War,” and “Innocence and Estrangement in the Fiction of Jean Stafford.” She was the sixth Charles W. Moorman Distinguished Professor of the Humanities.

“After having earned the rank of full professor and serving the University in a number of administrative roles for many decades, it is fitting that Dr. Ryan has been named University Distinguished Professor,” said USM President Dr. Rodney D. Bennett. “I thank her for her dedication and service, and I look forward to the contributions she will continue to make in this new role.”

Ryan holds degrees from Penn State and Temple Universities. At Southern Miss, she has also served as Dean of the Honors College, Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness, and interim Dean of the Graduate School.

“I welcome this new opportunity,” Ryan said. “I am excited about returning to the classroom, and I look forward to continuing to work on the important academic reorganization.”