Leadership

Dr. Shirley C. Raines is the 11th president of the University of Memphis. She is the first woman to hold the presidency of the University, which was founded in 1912.

Dr. Raines earned her Doctorate in Education and her Master of Science degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Her Bachelor of Science degree is from the University of Tennessee at Martin. She also completed the Management Development Program from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Before her appointment at the University of Memphis, Dr. Raines was Vice Chancellor for Academic Services and Dean of the College of Education at the University of Kentucky. She is the author of 14 books and numerous journal articles.

Described in The Commercial Appeal as "powerful, prepared and personable," she is known for her effective work in building productive partnerships on and off the campus. Major focus areas of her work with students include expanding the University's Honors Program and creating internships and co-op experiences in many areas of study.

As a community leader, Dr. Raines is a past chair of the Memphis Regional Chamber of Commerce and on the board of directors of several non-profit organizations, including Memphis Tomorrow, local PBS station WKNO, and the Higher Education Division of the United Way. The April 2008 issue of Business TN included her on the magazine's list of the 100 most powerful people in Tennessee.