Bill Shelton

Bill Shelton has served in senior leadership positions in American higher education for more than three decades. He was named president emeritus and Regents Professor at Eastern Michigan University in 2000 after completing 11 years as president. Under his leadership, the institution experienced significant enrollment growth, more than $225 million in campus improvements, creation of a university foundation, and approval to award the doctoral degree. His emphasis on learning, captured in “Blueprint 150: Building the Learning University,” and his initiative to reduce barriers to learning reflected what would become a new paradigm in higher education.

In 2003, Shelton became the vice chancellor for university advancement at East Carolina University. Following the resignation of the chancellor a few months later, he was named interim chancellor for the 2003-04 academic year. Upon the appointment of the new chancellor, Shelton returned to the office of vice chancellor where he served until his current appointment as Visiting Clinical Professor in Educational Leadership.

Previous higher education administrative positions include vice president of institutional advancement at Kent State University, vice president for university services and dean of student development at Henderson State University, and dean of students and assistant to the president at Northwest Mississippi Junior College. An accomplished fundraiser, he has been involved in the creation of two 501(c)3 foundations and served as director on four foundations.

Shelton has been actively involved in professional and civic organizations. He was the only higher education member on the National Education Commission on Time and Learning. He served seven years as a member of the NCAA Presidents Commission and chaired the NCAA Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct. In 1995, Shelton was president of the Mid-American Conference and in 2004 was a member of the Conference USA Board of Directors. He has also served as president of chambers of commerce, co-chaired March of Dimes events, been a director of a major hospital in the Detroit area, and served as vice chair of Northeast Ohio Public Television.

A motivational speaker and former sportscaster, Shelton is active in leadership seminars, staff development, and strategic planning. He received his undergraduate and masters degrees from the University of Memphis and his doctorate from the University of Mississippi.