Three candidates remain from the pool of seven applicants for the position of dean of the LSU Graduate School.
Michelle Massé, Kevin Cope and Gary Byerly, all current University employees, were named as the finalists by search committee head Amy Reynolds.
“They all have a good understanding of graduate education and the role of the Graduate School, and they all have worked with or in administration with a record of success,” Reynolds said.
Massé, who has taught English at the University since 1985, graduated from Anna Maria College and received her doctorate at Brown University. She was director of Women’s and Gender Studies from 2008 to 2011 and specializes in feminist and psychoanalytic theory. She will present her plan for the Graduate School on Nov. 30 from 3 to 4 p.m. in Coates 152.
Cope graduated from Pitzer College and finished his doctorate at Harvard University. An English literature professor since 1983, Cope is currently president of the LSU Faculty Senate. Cope will present his plan for the Graduate School on Dec. 1 from 3 to 4 p.m. in Coates 152.
Byerly graduated from Michigan State University, where he also received his doctorate in geology. He is now serving his eighth year as associate dean in the College of Science. He is also the director of the Master of Natural Sciences, a degree program that develops grant-supported forensic science programs. Byerly will present his plan for the Graduate School on Dec. 6, from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Holliday Forum of the Journalism Building.
“I have always enjoyed teaching and research and continue to be active advising research students as disciplinary studies need greater flexibility to adapt to rapid changes in the world,” he said.
“Graduate education has not gotten the exposure that it needs, and it is necessary in today’s economic culture,” he said. “There is a clearly demonstrative correlation between the amount of graduate students and prosperity of culture, which is win-win proposition for both the economy and the people in