Ascending toExcellence
Dr. Bill Hardgrave
The University of Memphis Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Bill Hardgrave as the 13th President on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021, and he began his tenure on April 1, 2022. Previously, Dr. Hardgrave served as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Auburn University since January 2018.
Learn more >Carnegie R1 Designation
Learn more about the University keeping the prestigious R1 ranking.
Successful Outcome for Every Student
At the University of Memphis, we put students first. It is our top priority to create a successful outcome for every student. This initiative requires investment from our entire campus community as each of us has a vital role in student outcomes.
Ascend Strategic Plan
The University of Memphis is committed to preparing students for success in their careers and lives through an accessible, opportunity-rich, and outcome-focused educational model. In research, the university is striving for greater societal impact while adapting to challenges like increasing competition for funding and evolving societal needs, with the goal of aligning with state funding metrics and securing greater stability and growth.
Student Success
The Value of Higher Education in 2026
To save you some time, I will jump directly to the conclusion: higher education has always provided (and still provides) a positive return on investment. But you should also know, I am biased. As a university president, I am bullish on higher education. If I weren’t, you should be questioning my judgment. As a first-generation college student, I am living proof of the value of higher education. Simply, and quite obviously, without a college degree, I would not be a college president. With my stated biases out of the way, let’s explore the value proposition of higher education.
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Research
University of Memphis Secures $4 Million ED Grant to Research Learning
The University of Memphis has partnered with the Educational Testing Service (ETS) Research Institute and Georgia State University on a new $4 million U.S. Department of Education (ED) grant. The team’s research will look at reinventing how college students learn and demonstrate knowledge. The award, announced by ED’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), will help develop AI-enhanced assessments designed to move beyond traditional testing models.
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News
Fogelman College of Business Begins Multi-Million Dollar Renovation
The University of Memphis marked a major milestone Wednesday afternoon with an unconventional “wall breaking” ceremony to symbolize the start of renovations to the Fogelman College of Business and Economics (FCBE). Rather than turning dirt, faculty and University leaders took hammers to a wall to celebrate the launch of this pivotal modernization project.
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