Jackson Free Press

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) — The University of Southern Mississippi has appointed Dr. Maureen Ryan as dean of the College of Arts and Letters.

Ryan's appointment, effective May 1, is pending approval by the school's governing board.

Ryan has served as interim dean since May and is a professor of English who teaches modern and contemporary American literature. USM in a news release Tuesday said Ryan will provide academic and administrative leadership for the College of Arts and Letters, which consists of three divisions — humanities, social sciences and the arts.

USM Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Steven Moser says Ryan has a distinguished track record as a scholar, teacher and administrator. Ryan has also served as dean of the Honors College and interim dean of the Graduate School.