Memphis-Shelby County Schools Appointed New Communications Chief

The district has hired Candice Grose to lead communications and public relations strategies for the school system.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in People

Memphis-Shelby County Schools Appointed New Communications Chief

Live Poll

Do you trust your local school district to communicate its priorities and decisions clearly?

Memphis-Shelby County Schools has officially appointed Candice Grose as its new Chief of Communications and Public Relations. She steps into the role to oversee messaging for families, employees, and community partners.

Why it matters

The district selected Grose to leverage her experience in organizational leadership to improve communication alignment and build public trust. Her appointment comes as the school system focuses on strengthening its outreach across the Memphis community.

Candice Grose brings more than 15 years of experience in communications and public relations to the district. Her background includes prior work with major corporations like McDonald's, Kraft Heinz, and American Airlines.

The players

Candice Grose

She is the newly appointed Chief of Communications and Public Relations for Memphis-Shelby County Schools with a diverse background in corporate and public sector leadership.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools

This is the public school district serving the city of Memphis and surrounding areas of Shelby County in Tennessee.

The details

Grose previously held leadership positions at Portland Public Schools and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, as well as serving as a Public Information Officer for the Shelby County Mayor. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Communications from Hampton University and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from the American College of Education.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools announced the hiring of Candice Grose on October 13, 2026.

Market Landscape

This appointment aligns with the broader industry trend of municipal school districts recruiting executives from private-sector backgrounds to manage public outreach. By pulling from her corporate experience, the district seeks to modernize how it connects with families and stakeholders.

Local families and staff can expect a shift in how the district manages communications and information sharing. This change may lead to more streamlined updates and improved transparency regarding district-wide initiatives and Board decisions.

The takeaway

Effective public relations in school districts requires a blend of professional communications expertise and local government awareness. Hiring leaders with diverse corporate backgrounds can help districts modernize their approach to community engagement.