Rhodes College President Marjorie Hass has appointed Dr. Darrell Ray interim vice president for student life, effective July 1, 2019. Ray is an experienced student life professional who previously served as vice president for student affairs at the University of Memphis.
“I’m pleased we have an experienced leader of Dr. Ray’s caliber joining our team,” says Hass. “Dr. Ray will help us continue to focus on student success and support over the next year, as we conduct our national search for a permanent vice president.”
Ray oversaw 14 departments focused on student support and success in his role at the University of Memphis. He serves as a clinical assistant professor in the College of Education and is active in research and grant writing.
“The student life division at Rhodes is doing great work. I’m excited to join a team that’s focused on providing students the support they need to thrive at a national liberal arts and sciences college,” Ray says.
Ray is an expert in first-year student programming. He sits on the national advisory board for the National Resource Center for First-Year Experience and Students in Transition. Prior to his time in Memphis, Ray was assistant vice president of student affairs at Louisiana State University. At LSU he also served as an associate dean of students and director of the Center for Student Leadership & Involvement.
Ray grew up in Birmingham, Ala., and earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Alabama. He earned a Ph.D. at the University of Georgia, and has taught in the higher education administration program at LSU’s College of Human Sciences & Education.
Ray is an active alumni member of his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, and serves on the organization’s National Committee on Risk Management, Education, & Prevention. He is also a 2018 graduate of the Leadership Memphis Executive Class.
The vice president of student life leads all student affairs offices, in addition to supervising intercollegiate athletics. Rhodes is conducting a national search for a permanent vice president.
