Dr. Kathy L. Murphy
President
Dr. Kathy Murphy was named the president of Gadsden State Community College in January 2021. Her career in education has spanned over three decades.
Murphy began her career in public education in 1984 at Auburn Junior High School prior to becoming assistant professor at Judson College. In 1988, she became an assistant professor at the University of West Georgia. A native of Butler County, she returned to serve as principal of Greenville Middle School in 1992. She remained in the Butler County School System for 17 years as a middle school and high school principal and assistant to the superintendent.
Murphy served as the principal of Charles Henderson High School in Troy in 2010 and was an adjunct professor at Auburn University at Montgomery. In 2011, she was named the superintendent of Monroe County Schools. In 2015, she was named superintendent of Hoover City Schools.
Murphy attended Troy University, where she received the George C. Wallace Leadership Scholarship. She was inducted into five honor societies and was a student leader within her department. She received the Outstanding Senior Award and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1981.
The following year, Murphy earned a Master of Education from AUM, where she was named the Intramural Female Athlete of the Year. In 1987, she was awarded a Doctor of Education from Auburn University. In 1994, she earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from AUM as well as an Educational Specialist Degree in 1995.
Murphy’s laser focus and commitment to students has led to several accolades from professional organizations and colleagues, including: Outstanding Administrator Award given by the Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; Mabel C. Robinson Memorial Lecturer; School Superintendents of Alabama’s District 5 Superintendent of the Year; Outstanding Leadership in School and Community Relations Award given by the Alabama School Public Relations Association; and Distinguished Service Outside the Profession Award given by the Alabama Art Education Association. She also has been named a “Mover and Shaker” by Two Eighty Lifestyle magazine and Business Alabama magazine.
Murphy served on the board of directors for the National Beta Club for 10 years where she was the first female to serve on the board and first female to board chair. She has served on the Governor’s Commission on Physical Fitness and the Governor’s Congress on School Leadership along with serving on several Alabama State Department of Education committees. In support of higher education, Murphy has served on the Dean’s Education Advisory Councils at Troy University, Judson College and Samford University.
Executive Cabinet
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2023 ANNUAL REPORT
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