Meet a Ram: The Graduate School’s Melissa Tyler puts a strong foot forward for Ph.D. diversity

By VCU News staff

Melissa Tyler knows something about going the extra mile for students - and with more than three decades at Virginia Commonwealth University, she has covered a fair distance. So a recent recognition she received is fittingly named.

Tyler, Ed.D., is associate dean of the VCU Graduate School, and she was honored this past October with the Extra Mile Award from the Institute on Teaching and Mentoring, the nation's largest annual gathering of underrepresented doctoral students and college faculty members of color.

The award recognizes Tyler's longtime contributions to the Southern Regional Education Board's State Doctoral Scholars Program, which was created in 1993 to address the longstanding national shortage of underrepresented minority faculty. VCU is the largest program participant in Virginia, and since it became a partner institution of SREB in 1995, 78 VCU Ph.D. students have graduated from the program.

"VCU is a campus that thrives because of its diversity and inclusion," said Tyler, who is credited with establishing VCU's deep commitment to the program. "Our campus has significantly encouraged minority students to advance and expand their education by earning a Ph. D. in their skilled field."

VCU News caught up with Tyler to learn more about her long and distinguished journey on campus.

Why has VCU been such a strong fit for you?

One aspect I deeply value about VCU is its commitment to diversity and inclusivity. At VCU, there is no typical student - the campus fosters an environment that celebrates acceptance, individuality and continuous creativity. This unique atmosphere has been a perfect match for me, facilitating growth and improvement both professionally and personally.

Beyond its commitment to academic excellence and research, VCU has provided countless opportunities to acquire knowledge and develop skills. The university's ongoing growth and focus on building a collaborative and supportive community have kept me engaged and made my work truly fulfilling.

A key part of my role at VCU has been mentoring students, faculty and staff, guiding them through their academic and professional paths. Mentoring has been immensely rewarding, allowing me to share my experiences, provide support and help others reach their potential. VCU's dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive community not only enriches the campus experience but also strengthens mentoring relationships, creating a supportive network that empowers individuals to thrive.

You earned your doctorate from VCU's School of Education - how did your experience inform your current work in the Graduate School?

My academic journey began when I attended business school. After participating in the Higher Education Resources Leadership Institute, a program for higher education professionals with a focus on women and gender-diverse individuals, I realized there was more I needed to do to contribute to my growth and development. This ultimately translated into my role in graduate education.

Being a graduate of the VCU School of Education educational leadership doctoral program was truly a rewarding and humbling experience. The process of navigating the doctoral journey as part of a cohort, coined the "Baker's Dozen," was enriching. Connecting with other higher education and K-12 professionals gave me a global view of the educational landscape, and my experience of being a doctoral student allowed me to expand my reach to further grow graduate studies.

How did you gravitate toward supporting graduate education?

Earlier in my university career, I engaged with undergraduate and graduate students, and my interest in the broader educational landscape led me to specialize in graduate education. As one of the primary recruiters for the Graduate School, I represented our programs at local, state and national meetings, and I gained a deep understanding of the unique needs and aspirations of graduate students.

It was incredibly rewarding to engage with them and to showcase the potential for impactful research within our graduate community at VCU. These efforts not only helped recruit outstanding students but also reinforced my dedication to fostering a supportive and dynamic environment for all graduate students. It is immensely fulfilling to see others achieve one of the highest academic honors in education. Their success is always inspiring and never ceases to motivate me.

You mentioned mentorship as one of your key roles. Tell us about a mentor who inspired you.

I have had many at VCU, and one in particular is Dr. F. Douglas Boudinot, emeritus dean of the Graduate School. He has played a pivotal role in building graduate education at VCU.

Dr. Boudinot was an inspiring leader and sponsor for my growth and development. When I had thought that I had reached my limits, he would push me to do more. He saw and pulled aspects of leadership out of me that I was not aware of. Further, I gained additional self-awareness regarding my approach to change and how to create buy-in and motivate faculty, staff and stakeholders to grow graduate education at VCU.

It is because of Dr. Boudinot's encouragement that I do my best to truly see staff, faculty and students for who they are and for who they have the potential to be. From his leadership, I have a daily mantra: Always remember the people you serve.

If you had to choose an "un" word to describe yourself, what would it be and why?

My first thought is "unbounded," because I would describe myself as having no limits. My career title is associate dean, but there are many roles I have taken on throughout life. All of them have greatly contributed to being successful in my career.

I proudly possess the titles of daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, significant other, spiritual adviser, caretaker, counselor, motivator, advocate and friend. I believe that all of these roles are critically needed to support graduate students, staff and faculty.

Yes, on campus you may see me as associate dean, but I am much more. I am whatever I need to be - a runner, a quiltmaker and a chef! More than anything, I am unbounded!

Editor's note: Meet-a-Ram is an occasional VCU News series about the students, faculty, staff and alumni who make Virginia Commonwealth University such a dynamic place to live, work and study.

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