Education
Georgia State University: Ph.D. in Education Administration. Emory University: Master's Degree in Education and English. Loretto Heights College: Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Philosophy.Professional Experience
Seven years experience as a public school teacher in Georgia and California, teaching English in grades 9-12. More than thirty years experience in private fundraising at public and private colleges and universities in Georgia to raise more than $475 million in private funds for academic programs, faculty research, and capital projects.Community Commitments
- Volunteer teacher, Hopewell Baptist Church Gateway Sunday School;
- President, (first woman in eighty years), Kiwanis Club of Atlanta;
- Member, Mary Our Queen Catholic Church, Peachtree Corners;
- Elected by District 3 in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 to the Gwinnett County School Board;
- Elected Chairman in 1999, 2004, 2010, 2015, and 2019 and Vice Chairman in 1998, 2003, 2009, 2014, and 2018;
- Civilian Representative to the National Security Seminar at the U.S. Army War College at Carlyle Barracks, PA.;
- Member, Development Committee, Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta;
- Member, Leadership Atlanta;
- Volunteer Principal for 10 years, Cathedral of Christ the King Sunday School, Atlanta
Awards Received
- 2018 – Scott Hudgens Distinguished Citizen Award for Outstanding and Dedicated Service to Gwinnett County, presented by the Northeast Georgia Council for the Boys Scouts of America.
- 2014 – Paul Duke Lifetime Achievement Award in Education from the United Peachtree Corners Civic Association.
- 2015 – Lifetime Achievement Award in Education from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education District III.
- 2015 – Distinguished Alumna for Service to Education, Loretto Heights College, Denver, CO.
- 2014 – Award for Service for Public Education from the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.
- 2012 – Grand Marshall, Gwinnett Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
- 2008 – “One of Top Ten Most Influential Women in Gwinnett County,” Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Gwinnett News, April 2008.
- 2006 – Frank L. Ashmore Award for Service to the Advancement Profession and to the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), New York, July 2006.
- 2000 – Gwinnett County Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Award for Excellence in Education, Hopewell Baptist Church, Norcross, GA, January 1999.
- 1999 – Warwick Award for Outstanding Original Research from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Boston, July 1999.
- 1994 – Alice Beeman Award for Excellence in Writing for Education Advancement from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Chicago, July 1994.
Personal Information
Married to Michael C. Murphy, retired attorney in Gwinnett County. The Murphys are the parents of three grown daughters and grandparents of two grandchildren.
Mike has been very involved with many civic organizations in the community. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and served on U.S. Congressman Johnny Isakson’s and on Speaker Newt Gingrich’s Service Academy Selection Panels and currently serves on U.S. Congressman Rob Woodall’s Service Academy Selection Panel. He received the Lawyers Club of Atlanta’s Award for 50 Ethical Years of Legal Practice. He is a volunteer lawyer with Gwinnett Legal Aid.
Mike served on the Gwinnett Juvenile Court Volunteer Lawyers Program for At-Risk Youth. He is Past President of the Riverview Homeowners Association.