University of Memphis Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

University of Memphis has 10 executives leading key functions including institutional strategy, information technology, human resources, and academic administration.

Committed to academic excellence and research innovation, University of Memphis fosters a transformative learning environment that prepares students for global success through rigorous undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.

Leadership Roles at University of Memphis

  • President, Chief Executive Officer & Director - Andrew Laurence
  • President - Bill Hardgrave
  • President - Anthony Fry
  • Vice President, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer - Jeffrey Delaney
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Maria Alam
  • Associate Chief Information Officer - Karen Bell
  • Associate Vice President & Deputy Chief Information Officer - Thomas Crafton
  • Vice President, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer - Doug Hurley
  • Associate Vice President & Managing Director - Byron Morgan
  • Team Captain - Pamela Thomas
  • Andrew Laurence - President, Chief Executive Officer & Director

    Andrew Laurence, the President, Chief Executive Officer & Director at University of Memphis, directs the overarching strategic vision for this public research institution. Overseeing the expansion of undergraduate and graduate programs, the President, Chief Executive Officer & Director ensures alignment between academic offerings and evolving market demands. This leadership role involves managing complex institutional budgets and fostering partnerships across the Tennessee region to enhance research output. By prioritizing student success and faculty development, Andrew Laurence directly impacts the long-term growth of the university. The President, Chief Executive Officer & Director maintains rigorous standards for all law and international programs, ensuring the institution remains a competitive force in higher education. Through consistent engagement with the Board, the President, Chief Executive Officer & Director secures the financial and operational stability required to advance the mission of the university while driving innovation in every department.

    Bill Hardgrave - President

    Bill Hardgrave, the President at University of Memphis, directs the academic and administrative functions of the institution to ensure continued growth and excellence. Overseeing the development of new research initiatives, the President ensures that the university remains a leader in public education. This leadership role involves engaging with stakeholders across the Tennessee region to secure funding and support for academic programs. By championing the university's mission, Bill Hardgrave directly impacts the institution's reputation and student enrollment outcomes. The President collaborates with the Board to set long-term goals that align with the evolving needs of the global academic community. Through the oversight of faculty recruitment and curriculum development, the President maintains the high standards expected of a public research university. Bill Hardgrave drives the strategic initiatives that position the university as a premier destination for students seeking high-quality undergraduate, graduate, and professional education.
    Bill Hardgrave

    Anthony Fry - President

    Anthony Fry, the President at University of Memphis, directs the institutional strategy to advance the university's standing as a premier public research institution. Overseeing the expansion of international and law programs, the President ensures that the university provides diverse and high-quality educational opportunities. This leadership role involves managing relationships with external partners and donors to support the university's research and infrastructure needs. By prioritizing academic innovation, Anthony Fry directly impacts the quality of the student experience and the university's research output. The President collaborates with the executive team to address the challenges of the modern higher education landscape. Through the oversight of institutional policies, the President maintains the integrity and reputation of the university. Anthony Fry drives the strategic vision that enables the institution to fulfill its mission of providing accessible and transformative education to students across the Tennessee region and beyond.

    Jeffrey Delaney - Vice President, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer

    Jeffrey Delaney, the Vice President, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer at University of Memphis, architects the digital infrastructure supporting all research and academic activities. Overseeing the modernization of campus-wide network systems, the Vice President, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer ensures secure data management for students and faculty. This leadership role involves implementing advanced cybersecurity protocols to protect institutional assets across the Tennessee campus. By integrating emerging technologies into the classroom experience, Jeffrey Delaney directly impacts the efficiency of digital learning environments. The Vice President, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer collaborates with academic leaders to deploy scalable software solutions that support the university's research mission. Through strategic oversight of technical resources, the Vice President, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer drives the digital transformation necessary to maintain the institution's status as a premier public research university in the modern era.
    Jeffrey Delaney

    Maria Alam - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Maria Alam, the Chief Human Resources Officer at University of Memphis, directs all talent acquisition and workforce development initiatives for the institution. Overseeing the recruitment of world-class faculty and administrative staff, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures the university maintains a high-performance culture. This leadership role involves managing complex labor relations and implementing comprehensive benefits programs that support the diverse needs of the campus community. By optimizing organizational structures, Maria Alam directly impacts the operational effectiveness of the university's various departments. The Chief Human Resources Officer collaborates with executive leadership to align human capital strategies with the broader institutional goals of research and academic excellence. Through the implementation of professional development programs, the Chief Human Resources Officer fosters an environment of continuous improvement. Maria Alam secures the talent pipeline necessary to sustain the university's long-term mission and reputation as a leading public research institution.

    Karen Bell - Associate Chief Information Officer

    Karen Bell, the Associate Chief Information Officer at University of Memphis, manages the daily operational execution of enterprise-level software and data systems. Overseeing the implementation of student information platforms, the Associate Chief Information Officer ensures seamless access to academic resources for the entire university population. This leadership role involves coordinating with technical teams to resolve infrastructure challenges and improve system reliability across the Tennessee campus. By streamlining administrative workflows through digital automation, Karen Bell directly impacts the productivity of university staff. The Associate Chief Information Officer supports the broader IT strategy by maintaining high standards for data integrity and system availability. Through rigorous monitoring of technical performance metrics, the Associate Chief Information Officer ensures that all digital tools align with the research and educational objectives of the institution. Karen Bell drives the operational excellence required to support the university's complex technological needs in a competitive academic landscape.

    Thomas Crafton - Associate Vice President & Deputy Chief Information Officer

    Thomas Crafton, the Associate Vice President & Deputy Chief Information Officer at University of Memphis, directs the strategic deployment of hardware and communication networks across the institution. Overseeing the maintenance of campus connectivity, the Associate Vice President & Deputy Chief Information Officer ensures that research facilities have the bandwidth required for high-level data analysis. This leadership role involves managing vendor relationships and optimizing the procurement of technical equipment to maximize institutional value. By upgrading legacy systems to modern standards, Thomas Crafton directly impacts the reliability of the university's digital ecosystem. The Associate Vice President & Deputy Chief Information Officer collaborates with the IT leadership team to mitigate risks and enhance system resilience. Through the oversight of technical support services, the Associate Vice President & Deputy Chief Information Officer ensures that faculty and students receive consistent assistance. Thomas Crafton secures the foundational infrastructure necessary for the university to excel in its research and educational pursuits.

    Doug Hurley - Vice President, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer

    Doug Hurley, the Vice President, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer at University of Memphis, architects the long-term digital roadmap for the university's research and academic programs. Overseeing the integration of cloud-based solutions, the Vice President, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer ensures that the institution remains at the forefront of technological innovation. This leadership role involves aligning IT investments with the university's mission to provide high-quality education and research opportunities. By fostering a culture of digital literacy, Doug Hurley directly impacts the ability of the campus community to leverage data for academic success. The Vice President, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer collaborates with the executive team to prioritize projects that enhance operational efficiency and student engagement. Through the strategic management of technical resources, the Vice President, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer drives the digital transformation of the university. Doug Hurley secures the technological future of the institution through proactive planning and execution.

    Byron Morgan - Associate Vice President & Managing Director

    Byron Morgan, the Associate Vice President & Managing Director at University of Memphis, directs the operational management of key administrative departments to ensure institutional efficiency. Overseeing the coordination of cross-functional projects, the Associate Vice President & Managing Director ensures that university resources are allocated effectively to support academic goals. This leadership role involves managing complex logistics and ensuring compliance with institutional policies across all campuses. By streamlining internal processes, Byron Morgan directly impacts the university's ability to deliver high-quality services to students and faculty. The Associate Vice President & Managing Director collaborates with senior leadership to implement strategic initiatives that improve the overall campus experience. Through the oversight of daily operations, the Associate Vice President & Managing Director maintains the stability of the university's administrative functions. Byron Morgan drives the operational improvements necessary to support the institution's mission as a leading public research university in the region.

    Pamela Thomas - Team Captain

    Pamela Thomas, the Team Captain at University of Memphis, directs the collaborative efforts of specialized administrative units to enhance institutional performance. Overseeing the execution of targeted projects, the Team Captain ensures that departmental goals align with the university's broader mission of academic and research excellence. This leadership role involves facilitating communication between teams to resolve operational bottlenecks and improve service delivery. By fostering a collaborative work environment, Pamela Thomas directly impacts the morale and productivity of the staff. The Team Captain coordinates with various departments to implement best practices that support the university's strategic objectives. Through the oversight of project timelines and deliverables, the Team Captain ensures that all initiatives contribute to the institution's success. Pamela Thomas drives the team-based approach necessary to navigate the complexities of a large public research university while maintaining a focus on student and faculty support.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding University of Memphis Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads University of Memphis?
    University of Memphis is led by Andrew Laurence (President, Chief Executive Officer & Director), along with executives such as Bill Hardgrave (President) and Anthony Fry (President).
    Who is part of University of Memphis’s executive team?
    The executive team of University of Memphis includes leaders such as Andrew Laurence (President, Chief Executive Officer & Director), Bill Hardgrave (President), Anthony Fry (President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does University of Memphis have?
    University of Memphis has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in University of Memphis’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of University of Memphis includes roles such as President, Chief Executive Officer & Director, President, President, Vice President, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer.