Dr. Tyris Gillis

Tyris serves as the Program Director for Mentoring Initiatives, leading the Students Achieving First-Year Excellence (SAFE) Program. Tyris received his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Mass Media with an emphasis in Video Production from Valdosta State University. Tyris continued his education at NC State University where he received a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration then earned his PhD in the joint Social Work program from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Previously, Tyris served as a Community Director at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before arriving at Niner Nation in 2019. 

Tyris enjoys tennis, roller coasters, escape rooms, baking, movies and television. 

Favorite Quote/Mantra

“Everyone fails at who they’re supposed to be. The measure of a person, of a hero, is how well they succeed at being who they are.”