Shelley Named USM School of Education Director

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 03:29pm | By: Karelia Pitts

Dr. Kyna Shelley will become director of the School of Education at The University of Southern Mississippi on July 1, 2026, after serving as interim director for four years.

“I look forward to our ongoing efforts within the School of Education as we work to strengthen programs, pursue thoughtful curricular innovation and deepen our engagement with community partners,” said Dr. Shelley. “I continue to be so appreciative of the collegiality and collaboration demonstrated by both our faculty and staff, and I value the opportunity to work alongside colleagues who are deeply committed to the mission of our school and the success of our students.”

Dr. Shelley earned her bachelor’s (1988), master’s (1990) and doctoral (1992) degrees in psychology from Southern Miss before beginning an academic career that included a faculty appointment at Southeastern Louisiana University and then at the University of Houston–Clear Lake for 11 years. After joining Southern Miss as an associate professor of educational research, she was promoted to professor in 2009. Her work has centered on graduate instruction in statistics and research methodology, with a current research agenda focused on organizational behavior and organizational commitment in higher education. She has served as coordinator of the M.S. and Ph.D. programs in research and statistics. In 2020, she became associate director of the school.

“Dr. Shelley has provided thoughtful and stabilizing leadership for the School of Education during an important period of transition and growth. While her academic background is outside traditional K-12 teacher preparation, she has deeply respected the School’s longstanding legacy in educator preparation and has worked diligently to strengthen its visibility and connection to the school communities we serve across Mississippi,” said Dr. Trent Gould, dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences.

Founded in 1910 as a teachers’ college, the University’s School of Education remains dedicated to their mission of preparing caring, qualified, confident educational professionals. Experienced and dedicated faculty generate and disseminate knowledge that influences and enhances educational policies and practices across the state and nation. Students graduate from Southern Miss equipped for successful careers in a variety of educational settings, from early childhood through higher education.

At the undergraduate level, the School offers bachelor’s degrees in elementary and secondary education. Graduate programs include a specialist degree in educational administration, as well as master’s degrees in dyslexia therapy education, educational administration, educational curriculum and instruction, educational research, higher education administration, secondary teacher education and special education. There are also doctoral programs in educational administration and supervision, educational research and higher education administration.

Teacher education and educational administration programs in the School of Education are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. USM is also a member of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate consortium, joining more than 160 national and international institutions working together to redesign professional practice preparation in education for the improvement of individuals and communities.

For more information about the USM College of Education and Human Sciences School of Education, visit the website.