New Scholarship Supports Future Community College Leaders

Albany, NY (June 4, 2019) - The School of Education at the University at Albany announces the creation of The John Murray and Ann Marie Murray MA ’75, MS ’98, PhD ’02 Community College Leadership Scholarship to support the development of future community college leaders. 

Dr. Ann Marie Murray, Vice Provost and Chief of Staff for Academic Affairs at the University at Albany, established the scholarship in honor of her husband John, and his support of her and other community college leaders throughout his career. Ann Marie is also an alum of the School of Education, earning several graduate degrees including her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction. 

John and Ann Marie began their careers as faculty members in the Department of Mathematics and Engineering Science at Hudson Valley Community College, with both receiving the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. John’s commitment to his classroom excellence continued with HVCC for 42 years. With John’s encouragement, Ann Marie pursued leadership roles, serving as department chair and then dean at HVCC. After 24 years with the college, she went on to serve as the Vice President for Academic Affairs at SUNY Broome and later as President of Herkimer Community College from 2008-2014.  

This scholarship commemorates over 70 years of combined service to the community college mission by John and Ann Marie.  John believed that community colleges play an important role in equalizing access to higher education for all students. “This scholarship is really to honor his legacy and passion for the important work of community colleges and his enduring support for those wanting to lead these exceptional academic institutions,” noted Ann Marie.  

The John Murray and Ann Marie Murray MA ’75, MS ’98, PhD ’02 Community College Leadership Scholarship will provide financial support to a student pursuing a graduate certificate in community college leadership, the MS in Higher Education or PhD in Educational Policy and Leadership. Priority is given to those currently working at a community college. “We are so pleased that we have been able to start a fund for our fellow community college colleagues to help them in their pursuit of a career in community college leadership” Ann Marie said of their scholarship.

“We are thrilled to be able to provide opportunities for the academic advancement of aspiring community college leaders and excited to have Dr. Murray as one of the faculty offering the new graduate certificate in Community College Leadership,” noted Dr. Jason Lane, Interim Dean of the School of Education. “This scholarship honors two outstanding advocates for community colleges and helps expand access to our graduate programs.”

Applications for the scholarship are due August 1, 2019 and those interested in applying are encouraged to reach out to [email protected] to request the application form.  More about the community college leadership certificate can be found at: https://www.albany.edu/education/programs/cgs-community-college-leadership-online.