Shirley C. Raines is an American public speaker, author and leadership consultant who retired from academia after serving as president of the
University of Memphis from 2001 to 2013. Before entering administration she was a professor of education, specializing in early childhood.
Early life
Raines was born April 15, 1945 in
Jackson, Tennessee, and grew up on a cotton farm near
Bells. She completed her undergraduate education at
UT Martin
The University of Tennessee at Martin (UT Martin or UTM) is a public university in Martin, Tennessee. It is one of the five campuses of the University of Tennessee system. UTM is the only public university in West Tennessee outside of Memphis ...
, studying child development, and then worked as a kindergarten teacher for several years.
[From cotton picker to college president, Shirley Raines to speak Thursday]
''Oak Ridger'', April 29, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2017. She later undertook further studies at
UT Knoxville, graduating with an
M.Sc.
A Master of Science ( la, Magisterii Scientiae; abbreviated MS, M.S., MSc, M.Sc., SM, S.M., ScM or Sc.M.) is a master's degree in the field of science awarded by universities in many countries or a person holding such a degree. In contrast to ...
in child development and later a
D.Ed.
The Doctor of Education (Ed.D. or D.Ed.; Latin ''Educationis Doctor'' or ''Doctor Educationis'') is (depending on region and university) a research or professional doctoral degree that focuses on the field of education. It prepares the holder for a ...
in elementary and early education.
[A New Reign]
''The University of Memphis Magazine'', Spring 2001. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
Academia
Before entering administration, Raines taught for periods at the
University of Alabama;
North Carolina Wesleyan College;
Northeastern State University, Oklahoma;
George Mason University
George Mason University (George Mason, Mason, or GMU) is a public research university in Fairfax County, Virginia with an independent City of Fairfax, Virginia postal address in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. The university was origin ...
, Virginia; and the
University of South Florida. In 1995, she was appointed dean of education at the
University of Kentucky; she was additionally made vice-president for academic affairs three years later. She served as president of the
Association for Childhood Education International
Childhood Education International (formerly, Association for Childhood Education International; International Kindergarten Union), a nonprofit organization with membership, is a global community of educators and advocates who advocate for desir ...
from 1999 to 2001.
[ In January 2001, the board of regents of the University of Memphis elected Raines as the successor to President V. Lane Rawlins – the first woman to hold the position.][Dr. Raines Named 11th President of the University of Memphis]
University of Memphis, February 2001. Retrieved November 27, 2017. Her term began on July 1, 2001, and continued until her retirement on June 30, 2013.[Dr. Shirley Raines to Retire from U of M]
WREG, April 15, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2017. As president, Raines oversaw the acquisition of Lambuth University, the establishment of the University of Memphis Research Foundation and the Memphis Research Consortium, and the construction of a number of new buildings.[ She was inducted into the Tennessee Women's Hall of Fame in 2013, and retired to ]Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Oak Ridge is a city in Anderson and Roane counties in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Tennessee, about west of downtown Knoxville. Oak Ridge's population was 31,402 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Knoxville Metropolitan Area. Oak ...
, where she works as a motivational speaker and leadership consultant.[
]
See also
* List of women presidents or chancellors of co-ed colleges and universities
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Raines, Shirley
1945 births
People from Crockett County, Tennessee
University of Tennessee alumni
University of Tennessee at Martin alumni
University of Alabama faculty
North Carolina Wesleyan College
Northeastern State University faculty
George Mason University faculty
University of South Florida faculty
University of Kentucky faculty
Heads of universities and colleges in the United States
Women heads of universities and colleges
Living people
People from Jackson, Tennessee