Kyp Ross
Psychiatric and Family Nurse Practitioner, Bessie & Leland Speed Counseling Center
BIO
Dr. Kymberly “Kyp” Ross is a dual-certified Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner with more than 20 years of advanced practice nursing experience. She began her nursing career after graduating from Northwest Mississippi Community College of Nursing in 1996 and worked as a registered nurse before pursuing advanced practice education.
Dr. Ross earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, in 2003, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing with a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner concentration from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in 2004. She later completed a Post-Master’s Certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in 2008. In 2023, she earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Delta State University.
Dr. Ross currently serves as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at the University Counseling Center, where she provides comprehensive mental health care to college students. In addition to her work in the Counseling Center, she serves as the medical and psychiatric provider for the Eating Disorder Support Services, delivering specialized evaluation, medication management, and multidisciplinary care for students with eating disorders. She also practices part-time with The Kahm Center in Burlington, Vermont, providing psychiatric care for individuals participating in a partial hospitalization program for eating disorders.
Dedicated to service, Dr. Ross has volunteered monthly for the past two years at Oxford Medical Ministries Clinic, providing care for uninsured working adults in her community. She has also contributed to the education of future nurses as adjunct faculty for the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Franklin University in Ohio, and Anderson University in South Carolina.
In the summer of 2026, Dr. Ross was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy Reserve, further demonstrating her commitment to serving others.
An active leader within the nurse practitioner profession, Dr. Ross is a longstanding member of both the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the Mississippi Association of Nurse Practitioners (MANP). She served on the MANP Board of Directors from 2023 to 2025 and currently serves as the organization’s Area 2 Leader, where she supports professional development and coordinates educational programming for nurse practitioners in the Oxford area.
Dr. Ross resides in Oxford, Mississippi, with her husband and is the proud mother of five children and grandmother of two. She is an active member of Oxford University United Methodist Church, where she plays handbells as part of the church’s handbell choir. She is also a member of the Oxford Civic Chorus Association, reflecting her passion for music and community engagement. Dr. Ross remains committed to advancing mental health care, serving her community, and mentoring the next generation of nursing professionals.
WHY CLI?
I firmly believe that leaders are not simply born—they are developed through intentional learning, self-reflection, mentorship, and experience. Effective leadership requires far more than having innovative ideas, advanced degrees, or technical expertise. Meaningful leadership demands dedication, humility, integrity, and a commitment to continually developing the skills needed to inspire, serve, and positively influence others. I hope this cohort will challenge me to grow as a leader, strengthen my ability to guide others with purpose and character, and equip me with practical tools that I can apply in my work with students, colleagues, and the broader university community.
Ultimately, I want to participate in the Character Leadership Initiative because I believe that caring for students extends beyond addressing their mental health needs. It also includes helping them develop the resilience, compassion, accountability, and moral courage needed to become thoughtful leaders in their professions and communities. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the university’s mission by integrating character education into my clinical practice, student outreach, and future educational initiatives, creating meaningful and lasting impacts on the students I serve while continuing to grow as a leader myself.