Dr. Shirley C. Raines became the 11th president of the University of Memphis on July 1, 2001. She is the first woman to hold the presidency of the University, which was founded in 1912. 

Previous to 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. While at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, she received the Distinguished Faculty Member award and has received two research awards from the Eastern Educational Research Association. She is the author of 14 books and numerous journal articles, and is widely regarded as an expert in teacher education and early childhood education.  Dr. Raines is a frequent speaker at community events and has served as a keynote speaker at Harvard’s Institute for Educational Management and their Seminar for New Presidents.

During the years of Dr. Raines’ tenure at the University of Memphis, the following building projects have been completed: a new student center, Honors residence hall, the FedEx Institute of Technology, the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management, the Student Activities Plaza and fountain, the clock tower, University Services Building with new bookstore, the Athletic Training Facility, softball stadium, renovation of the baseball stadium, additions to the Carpenter Student Housing Complex, the renovation of the former Millington Naval Hospital, the renovation of Wilder Tower, which is devoted to student services, and the relocation of the Law School to the historic downtown location on the Mississippi River.  

Described in The Commercial Appeal as “powerful, prepared and personable,” she has become known for her effective work in building productive partnerships on and off the campus. This emphasis has enabled the University to realize significant increases in annual giving to the University.  Establishment of the University of Memphis Research Foundation along with the University’s focus on engaged scholarship in the community has facilitated an increase of sponsored research grants and contract awards by almost 100% since the beginning of Dr. Raines’ tenure in 2001.  Major focus areas of her work with students include an increased emphasis on the retention of students, expansion of the University’s Honors and Emerging Leaders programs, the establishment of a guaranteed internship program for qualified students, living learning residential and curricular learning communities throughout campus.

While on the NCAA Board of Directors, Dr. Raines chaired the NCAA Presidential Task Force Oversight and Monitoring Group. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of C-USA. As a community leader, Dr. Raines serves as 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 United Way.

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. 

A native of Bells, Tenn., she is married to retired professor, Dr. Robert J. Canady. They are the parents of four adult children and five grandchildren.