 Vanderbilt's College of Arts and Science named McCarty as its new dean in 2001.In addition to his decanal duties, McCarty taught a psychology seminar for first-year undergraduate students entitled "Stress, Health, and Behavior" and had a dual appointment in the Department of Pharmacology in the School of Medicine.On May 6, 2008, McCarty was elevated to the university provostship, replacing Nicholas S. Zeppos, who was himself elevated to the university chancery.