Michelle McKissack is currently chairwoman of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools board and is looking at a potential run for Memphis mayor.

“As an industry, higher education has not really had to work that hard,” University of Memphis president Bill Hardgrave said. “Those days are over.”

With “A-list coaches” such as Bonzi Wells and Rochelle Stevens, a cybersecurity program, and plans for both an amphitheater and a health and wellness center, the HBCU is trying to increase its profile.

President Bill Hardgrave hopes to hire a new provost as well as several new deans by late spring or early summer 2023. 

Judaea Driscoll, a student at Southwest Tennessee Community College, and Joshua Carlucci, who’s in graduate school at the University of Memphis, are our fall 2022 journalism interns.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools has been named an advancing district under the Tennessee Department of Education’s district accountability rankings.

Christian Brothers University placed in the top 20 in its category in the latest U.S. News and World Report college rankings, rising from last year, while other local colleges and universities fell. 

Collierville and Lakeland were the only districts in Shelby County designated reward schools by the Tennessee Department of Education. The honor is reserved for schools in the top 5% for performance, growth or both.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools Deputy Superintendent John Barker has been placed on paid leave pending an investigation into a complaint levied against him. 

Memphis-Shelby County Schools is taking issues with comments from Mayor Jim Strickland about enrollment and truancy.

The University of Memphis is creating a new strategic plan, focusing on declining student enrollment and updating facilities — among other topics — and seeking a new provost, board of trustees members were told this week.

With the implementation of the Education Savings Account Program, families in Shelby County can receive nearly $8,200 toward tuition, fees and transportation to attend Catholic schools.

“She had a kind spirit. She was always happy, always bubbly. I don’t ever remember her being unhappy,” said a former employer. “She was very warm, very giving.” 

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With large numbers of candidates vying for a small number of spots in U.S. medical schools, some Memphians are earning their medical degrees in the Caribbean. 

Collierville Elementary and Schilling Farms Elementary implemented house systems to help foster community in the school environment.

State of Tennessee divvying up more than $4.5 billion for K-12 education.

John Avis, a Memphis educator who had served in Memphis schools since the mid-1970s, died in a traffic accident.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools may soon begin moving to reach an agreement with two suburban districts before it loses ownership of four campuses at the end of the year.

Tutonial Williams, the finance chief for MSCS, will lead the district while it searches for a permanent replacement for former superintendent Joris Ray.

Southwest Tennessee Community College celebrated its aviation program with an open house at the Olive Branch airport Tuesday, Aug. 30. 

The University of Memphis has established new traffic patterns for university schools, including the new University High School.

Deborah Perron Tollefsen’s appointment follows other recent changes in leadership at the university. 

The governor recently provided an update to the school safety executive order he signed in June after the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

A week after accepting former Superintendent Joris Ray’s resignation, the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education naming an interim replacement. Here are some of the likely candidates. 

School board Chair Michelle McKissack says input from former superintendent Joris Ray isn’t expected, although the language included in Ray’s resignation agreement suggests he will be. McKissack said the clause was instead just standard language.