About Stephen E. Shular

Stephen E. (Steve) Shular joined the University of Memphis School of Public Health in September 2024 as a Community Outreach Representative. He brings extensive experience in public affairs, communications, and community engagement, gained from over four decades of service in both public and private sectors.

Previous Experience 

• January 2024 – July 2024: Special Assistant to the City of Memphis Mayor’s Office under Mayor Paul Young. Steve conducted investigations of citizen complaints and served as a liaison to neighborhood associations. 
• April 2018 – December 2023: Special Assistant to the City of Memphis Mayor’s Office under Mayor Jim Strickland. He investigated citizen complaints and acted as the mayor’s neighborhood association liaison. 
• September 2010 – April 2018: Public Affairs Officer in the Shelby County Mayor’s Office under Mayor Mark H. Luttrell, Jr. Steve managed communications and media relations, oversaw the Mayor’s Action Center, and served as Public Affairs Officer for the Shelby County Office of Preparedness. 
• October 2002 – September 2010: Public Affairs Officer for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr. He handled media relations, investigated citizen complaints, and maintained connections with community organizations. Steve also served as the Public Affairs Officer for the Shelby County Office of Preparedness. 
• April 1998 – October 2002: Corporate Director of Patient Affairs at Methodist Healthcare System. In this role, Steve coordinated responses to patient care complaints and directed the organization’s customer service strategy. 
• January 1992 – April 1998: Director of Community Relations for the Methodist Healthcare Behavioral Medicine Division, where he developed marketing strategies for psychiatric, addiction, and family counseling programs. 
• August 1985 – January 1992: Director of the Mayor’s Action Center in the City of Memphis Mayor’s Office under Mayor Richard C. Hackett. Steve investigated citizen complaints and acted as the mayor’s liaison with community organizations. 
• June 1981 – August 1985: Reporter, Writer, and Anchor at WMC-TV in Memphis, Tennessee. 
• September 1979 – June 1981: Reporter and Writer at WSMV-TV in Nashville, Tennessee. 
• January 1979 – September 1979: Announcer at WZEZ-FM in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Education 

B.S. Journalism, Middle Tennessee State University, May 16, 1981 

Community Service/Awards 

• 1985-2018-Director of Reserve Responders-Memphis and Shelby County Emergency Management Agency 
• 1990-Memphis Magazine’s Who’s Who-Government Leader-for service as Director, Memphis Mayor’s Action Center 
• 1992-Distinguished Sales Award-Sales and Marketing Executives of Memphis-for service at the Methodist Healthcare Behavioral Medicine Division 
• 1995-2002--Memphis Police Department Director’s Advisory Board-Police Director Walter Crews 
• 1995-2002-Employment Advisory Board of Directors-Senior Citizens Services 
• 1999- Chief Executive Officer’s Meritorious Service Award-Methodist Healthcare System 
• 2014- Bobby Dunavant Public Servant Award-Downtown Memphis Rotary Club 
• 2014- First Responder Award-Tennessee Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management 
• 2019-Richard S. Borys Outstanding Public Service Award-Vollentine Evergreen Community Association 
• 2020- Golden Community Service Award-LeMoyne Owen College 
• 2022 -City of Memphis Mayor’s Luminary Community Service Award-for service as Special Assistant to the mayor-City of Memphis Government 
• 2023 -Outstanding Citizenship Annual Award-Memphis radio station WLOK 
• 2023-Present-Dean’s Advisory Board-School of Public Health-University of Memphis