Dr. Chanley Rainey holds a bachelor’s degree from Huntingdon College and a Ph.D. from the University of Alabama. An Associate Professor of Political Science, her career at MUW includes serving as the Director of the Political Science program, teaching for the Women’s Studies program, and Directing the NEW Leadership^® Mississippi Summer Institute. She became the Director of The W’s Center for Women’s Research and Public Policy in 2020 and is also serving as one of two Faculty Fellows at the Women’s College in 2024.

Her research focuses on comparative women’s movements; gender, citizenship, and deliberative democracy; and women’s representation in the U.S. South. The Center’s research and programming focuses on all issues affecting women and girls, and particularly on the history of MUW and women’s education. It offers students the opportunity for hands-on, primary research in women’s studies and women’s issues. 

She serves on the boards for the Mississippi Council for the Social Studies and the Lowndes Community Foundation. 

Chanley Rainey, Ph.D.

cerainey@muw.edu
(662) 329-7173

Center for Women’s Research & Public Policy
Mississippi University for Women
1100 College Street
W-Box 1634
Columbus, MS 39701