Provost names new administrators

Morehead State University’s Office of the Provost has announced that Dr. Laurie L. Couch, associate professor of psychology, has been named associate vice president for academic affairs, Dennis McKay has been named director of the MSU at Mt. Sterling campus and Deborah Ross has been named registrar.

Couch earned Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in experimental psychology from the University of Tennessee and a B.A. degree in psychology from Mississippi State University.

She worked as a teaching associate with the University of Tennessee, prior to being hired as an assistant professor at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas.

Couch started her MSU career in 1997 as an assistant professor and has been an associate professor since 2002. From 2007 to 2011, she was interim chair for the Department of Psychology.

During her MSU career, she was the recipient of the 2008 Outstanding Mentor Award from the Kentucky Psychological Association, the 2009 Student Government Association Outstanding Faculty Award and was named to “Who's Who Among American University and College Professors.”

Couch has been active in University service that includes: President’s Performing Arts and Speakers Program Steering Committee, chair; Institutional Review Board, chair; consultant to the Office of the Provost for Institutional Research and Assessment; Faculty Senator and Celebration of Student Scholarship Planning Committee.

McKay has been with MSU since 1988 and most recently served as director of the welcome center and graduate admissions.

As regional campus director, McKay will be responsible for providing leadership for all facets including budgeting, facilities management, scheduling undergraduate and graduate classes, recruiting and advising students, managing student services, managing distance learning (ITV), hosting recruiting and other special events, developing and supporting an advisory board, establishing and assessing strategic plans, marketing and raising funds.

McKay will serve as a liaison with KCTCS, public schools, businesses, public agencies and community organizations at the local, regional, state and federal level.

McKay obtained his Bachelor of Science, Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts degrees from Morehead State.

A Menifee County native, Ross graduated from Morehead State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1989. She went on to complete a Master of Arts in English in 1991. 

Ross began her career at MSU in 1991 as a provisional studies counselor. In addition to this position, during her time at MSU she has served as a student support services counselor and provisional studies coordinator. She also has taught as an adjunct professor for the Department of English.

In 2000, Ross became associate registrar within the Office of the Registrar. In February 2016, she was named interim registrar. She has been employed with the University for nearly 26 years.

Additional information is available by contacting the Office of the Provost at 606-783-2002.