William Byas was appointed to the new position of dean of special student services in August 1979, effective September 1. At the time of the appointment, he was associate professor of guidance and student personnel services at Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis). Before going to Memphis State in 1978, Byas had directed the College Education Achievement at Saginaw Valley State College, Michigan (1966–70). He served as director of the New Careers Institute at Knoxville College (1970) and as director of academic support services and associate professor of educational psychology at Saginaw State (1971–78). He earned a baccalaureate degree in psychology from Tennessee State University, a master’s degree in counseling and guidance from Fort Valley State College in Georgia, and an EDD in educational psychology and guidance from UT in 1971. At UT, he was responsible for the Educational Advancement Program, Minority Student Affairs and the Black Cultural Center, and Handicapped Student Services. He left UT in September 1983 for a position at Miami University of Ohio.