In July 2017, Dr. Maureen Murphy became the fifth president of the College of Southern Maryland (CSM), topping a career in public higher education that spans more than 30 years. Since her arrival, CSM has twice been recognized as one of the top 150 community colleges in the country by the Aspen Institute in its Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Program. Prior to her current role, Murphy was president of Brookdale Community College, a multi-campus institution in New Jersey. She also has been president of San Jacinto College South in Houston, Texas, and vice president at both Rappahannock Community College and Wytheville Community College in Virginia. Murphy began her career teaching English at St. Louis Community College-Meramec, where she later served as a dean. Murphy has served on the board of directors for the American Association of Community Colleges and the American Association for Women in Community Colleges. She currently serves on the American Association of Community College Trustees’ President’s Advisory Council and the National Junior College Athletic Association Presidents’ Advisory Council. Murphy earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Louisville, her master’s degree in English from the University of Missouri-Columbia and her doctorate in American studies from Saint Louis University.
