Dr. Tyrone Tanner has served as Interim Dean of Graduate Studies since June of 2021, in addition to his role as Executive Director at the Northwest Houston Center (NWHC). Over the last year, he has supported the University in its strategy to reach R2 (Doctoral Universities – High Research Activity) status, supported increased graduate student enrollment for Fall 2021, expanded faculty eligible to participate in student dissertation and thesis research, and has strengthened existing external partnerships and established new ones.
Given his performance and our need to have a fully engaged graduate dean over this area because of our new R2 status, Dr. Tanner will assume leadership as Dean of Graduate Studies effective April 15, 2022. It will be incredibly important that the University continue to award at least 20 research/scholarship doctoral degrees each year as an R2 institution. His focused attention will ensure the quality and number of those degrees.
As Dean of Graduate Studies, he will serve as the chief administrative officer of the graduate studies unit. Major responsibilities include planning, advancement, and assessment of programs and services; oversight of fiscal resources and personnel productivity; enrollment support and growth; research productivity of graduate students; image building; fundraising; and interpretation and initiation of procedures, rules and guidelines for both students and faculty. He will also carry a faculty role as part of this assignment.
Dr. Tanner has taught numerous graduate courses, chaired or served as a member on more than 30 dissertation committees, authored or co-authored several peer-reviewed articles/books, and has shared his research throughout the United States and internationally in more than 20 different countries. Dr. Tanner’s research focuses on removing opportunity gaps in organizations and P-12 schools. He also has been awarded multiple grants, including a current one by the National Science Foundation (NSF), to further his research on Developing Culturally Responsive STEM educators.
Please join me in welcoming him into his role as Dean of Graduate Studies. He will continue to serve as Executive Director of the NWHC until June 1, 2022.
James M. Palmer
Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs