J. Larry Lyon, Dean

Dr. Lyon earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas in Sociology and joined the Baylor Sociology Department in 1975. He began serving as Dean of Baylor's Graduate School in 1998. He is a Vice Provost, a Professor of Sociology, and the Director of the Baylor Center for Community Research and Development. His research interests include community sociology and the sociology of religion.

T. Laine Scales, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and
Professional Development

Dr. Scales began serving as Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Professional Development in Fall 2004. She is a Professor of Higher Education and continues to teach both graduate and undergraduate classes in addition to her administrative duties in the Graduate School. She is the faculty sponsor of the Graduate Student Association.

Lance Littlejohn, Associate Dean for Research

Dr. Littlejohn joined the Baylor faculty as the Chair of the Mathematics Department in January, 2007. Prior to coming to Baylor he taught at Utah State University (1983-2006) and the University of Texas at San Antonio (1981-1983). He obtained his B.Sc. and M.S. degrees in mathematics from the University of Western Ontario before earning his Ph.D. at Penn State University.

Dr. Littlejohn's research areas include spectral theory of differential operators and special functions. When not working on research problems, he loves to study mathematics in other subjects (especially number theory) and to read popular books on mathematics and on various mathematicians.

Denny B. Kramer, Senior Assistant Dean and Coordinator, Baylor-U.S. Military Graduate Programs

Dr. Kramer joined the Graduate School in 2007. As Senior Assistant Dean, Kramer oversees enrollment management and academic technology. He also manages the Graduate School budget and works with program directors and faculty in the Army-Baylor graduate health sciences programs.

Dr. Kramer earned his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University and joined the Baylor University faculty in the Information Systems Department in 2001. An award-winning teacher, Kramer teaches a limited number of courses in addition to his administrative responsibilities. He and his wife, Deanne, are co-advisors of Baylor's Golden Key International Honour Society.

Christopher M. Rios, Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies

Dr. Rios joined the Graduate School staff in 2011 after earning his Ph.D. from Baylor University. In addition to his service in the Graduate School, he teaches select undergraduate courses in the Department of Religion and is the faculty sponsor of the Graduate Student Association.

Shelly Adams, Graduate School Tuition and Stipend Manager

Shelly joined the Graduate School in June 2010. She is now the administrator of the web-based graduate school financial program and manages a multi-million dollar stipend and tuition budget for academic and non-academic graduate programs. She also serves as the Event Coordinator for the graduate school and plans and coordinates all travel arrangements for the deans in the graduate school. Shelly also manages the benefits program for Teachers of Record (TORs) and Research Assistants (RAs).

Sandra B. Harman, Dissertation & Thesis Coordinator

Mrs. Harman came to Baylor in 1987 and has worked with graduate education most of that time. Review of dissertations and theses is one of her primary roles in the Graduate School, along with the administration of the Graduate School Travel Awards program.

Anna Henderson, Assistant to the Dean & Vice Provost

Anna has been working in the Graduate School since 2007. She began working at Baylor as an undergrad and has experience in Baylor's Office of Institutional Effectiveness/SACS, University Development, and the University Libraries. Anna coordinates the calendar for the Dean's office, organizes Graduate Council meetings, assists in planning and directing the Graduate School's stipend and tuition budgets, oversees stipend enhancements and the Presidential Scholars fund, and manages a diverse range of administrative duties for the Graduate School. Anna received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Baylor in 1991.

Diane Hunt, Graduate Admissions Analyst

Lori McNamara, Graduate Admissions Office Manager

Lori coordinates all aspects of the Graduate Admission process including processing applications, reviewing submitted supporting documentation and communicating with applicants as well as the graduate departments.

Sherry G. Sims, Director of the Graduate School Office

Mrs. Sims has been part of the Baylor family since 1979 when she started in Academic Records as Assistant Director. She transferred to the Graduate School as the Admissions Coordinator in 1981. She eventually moved into the role of Director of Admissions and Records and now uses her knowledge of the campus functions to oversee the operation of the office. She also maintains records for students throughout the time of study and certifies students for graduation. She received her B.S.Ed. from Baylor in 1982.

Loretta Volcik, Graduate Admissions Coordinator

Loretta brings many years of corporate business experience to the Baylor University Graduate School. Working with Graduate Admissions, she assists in coordinating all aspects of the Graduate Admission process. She also serves as a web consultant for the Graduate School for which she develops content and manages the development of new graduate program web.

Rachel Whitenton, Assistant for Graduate Studies and Professional Development

Rachel joined the Graduate School in August 2010. She provides oversight for the Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor awards, assists with Graduate Student Orientation and the New Graduate Program Director Orientation, serves on the steering committee for the Women in the Academy Conference, helps manage the website, supports the Graduate Student Association, and performs other various duties.