Page 1 of 4 Eleventh president named Raines supported by faculty, staff and students Tuesday, Jan. 31 was the dawning of a new day for University of Memphis faculty, staff and students when Dr. Shirley Raines was named president. Raines is the first woman to be in this position. Raines is currently the vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and Dean of College of Education at the University of Kentucky. She will begin her role as U of M president on July 1.
Raines has three degrees from Tennessee institutions.
In 1967, she earned a bachelors degree in Child Development in Home Economics from the University of Tennessee, Martin. In 1972, she earned her masters in Child Development from the University of Tennessee. In 1979, she earned a Ed. John W. Cothern, assistant vice president for Administration, led both sessions.