Jennifer Murphy: A Testament to Lifelong Learning and Building Ladders at Tennessee Tech
Jennifer Murphy’s office at Tennessee Tech University is more than just a workspace; it’s a powerful visual statement. The framed degrees hanging neatly on the wall are not mere decorations, but rather tangible evidence of her unwavering dedication to education and its transformative potential. As the interim director of student success for the university’s College of Engineering, Murphy leverages her academic achievements and ongoing studies to inspire the students she serves, all while pursuing her own intellectual growth as a doctoral student.
Murphy is currently immersed in her second year of a Ph.D. program in higher education at Tennessee Tech, a testament to the university’s commitment to providing flexible and accessible graduate programs. She readily acknowledges the institution’s ability to cater to working professionals, allowing them to pursue advanced degrees at their own pace and on their own terms.
"Tech makes a graduate degree attainable and tailorable to your schedule, whether the classes are online or on land," Murphy explains. She emphasizes the exceptional dedication of the faculty, stating, "The professors in this program want to be here – they love the content that they’re teaching. But more than that, they love students as a human first. You will not find humans who care more about the students anywhere like you will at Tech." This emphasis on student-centeredness and genuine care is a defining characteristic of the university’s academic environment.
Murphy’s academic journey at Tennessee Tech is a long and rich one. While working as a full-time high school English teacher, she earned a Master of Arts degree in educational psychology and counselor education. This accomplishment paved the way for her to transition into a school counselor position, further solidifying her passion for supporting students’ holistic development. Driven by a desire to enhance her skills and knowledge, she returned to Tennessee Tech to pursue a second graduate degree, an Education Specialist degree, or Ed.S, in instructional leadership. Her foundation at Tennessee Tech began with her bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a concentration in English, creating a complete circle of educational attainment.
Her current pursuit, the Ph.D. in higher education, holds immense practical significance for her current role. Murphy intends to focus her dissertation on addressing a critical issue within the university: graduation rates for transfer students. Her proposed methodology involves employing logistic regression to predict these rates, allowing her to identify key factors that influence the success of transfer students. Armed with this data-driven insight, she plans to develop targeted programs and initiatives designed to support transfer students and improve their overall academic outcomes.
"I have the opportunity to help students succeed by learning how to create, establish and refine different programs," Murphy explains. "I am learning how to evaluate and assess what I have, and then how to better support students based on the data that comes to me, and so it all comes back full circle. I’ll be able to use my dissertation to help students." This commitment to using research and data to inform her practice underscores her dedication to evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement.
Tennessee Tech’s Ph.D. in higher education program is strategically designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the complex challenges facing higher education institutions. A core component of the program is a strong emphasis on data science, reflecting the growing importance of data-driven decision-making in the field. Graduates of the program are well-prepared to address the needs of colleges, universities, higher education agencies, and foundations, contributing to the advancement of the entire higher education landscape.
Recognizing the demands faced by working professionals, the program offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing students to balance their academic pursuits with their work and family responsibilities. A diverse range of online course offerings, delivered both synchronously and asynchronously, caters to different learning preferences and schedules. Students also have the option of attending some classes on campus, fostering a sense of community and facilitating direct interaction with faculty and peers. The self-paced nature of the program allows students to progress at a rate that aligns with their individual circumstances, with many students completing the program in approximately four years, depending on their enrollment status.
Beyond the Ph.D. program, Tennessee Tech offers a wide array of graduate programs designed to provide flexibility for working students. These include master’s degree programs in fields such as counseling, English, and computer science; doctorate degree programs in areas like engineering, health behaviors, and literacy; and education specialist degrees in instructional leadership, curriculum and instruction, and counseling and psychology. This comprehensive range of programs demonstrates Tennessee Tech’s commitment to providing accessible and high-quality graduate education across a diverse range of disciplines.
Murphy’s motivation for pursuing the Ph.D. in higher education program stems from a deep-seated desire to learn and grow. As a first-generation college student, she has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education and its ability to unlock opportunities and change lives.
"I am a lifetime learner," she declares. "I am a follower of the Lord, and the Lord drew me to Tech in the first place. So if He chooses, if He wants me to go somewhere and do something, then I’m absolutely going to do it. But I’m never going to be a ladder climber – I want to be a ladder builder. I want to help people around me and build ladders for other people to climb up on." This profound statement encapsulates her personal philosophy, emphasizing her commitment to service, mentorship, and creating pathways to success for others.
Her dedication to education has also served as an inspiration to her sons, who are both currently in college. She shares a lighthearted anecdote about her youngest son, who is pursuing pre-med studies, revealing a playful competition between them. "I joke with my youngest, who is in pre-med, that I would be the first Dr. Murphy," she says. "That’s our little joke back and forth – who’s going to get it (the doctor title) first."
The admission requirements for the Ph.D. in higher education program reflect the program’s academic rigor. Applicants must possess a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 from their last graduate degree or 60 hours of undergraduate work. In addition, they are required to submit a statement of intent, two letters of recommendation, academic transcripts, and an academic writing sample. These requirements ensure that admitted students have the academic foundation and intellectual capacity to succeed in the challenging program.
Murphy offers invaluable advice to prospective students, encouraging them to overcome self-doubt and take the first step towards pursuing their educational goals. "What I know about this experience is that there can be a lot of hesitation and self-doubt that I felt about going back," Murphy said. "It came from the anticipation – the anticipatory anxiety, not the actual coursework. As a human, you’re more capable than you think. Most of the time, you’re going to love it and you’re going to want to push forward." She emphasizes that the fear of the unknown is often more daunting than the actual experience of pursuing graduate studies, and that most students find the coursework engaging and rewarding.
To discover more about Tennessee Tech’s Ph.D. in higher education program or explore its other graduate program offerings, prospective students are encouraged to visit TNTech.edu. The website provides comprehensive information about program details, admission requirements, faculty profiles, and student resources.
Jennifer Murphy’s story is a powerful testament to the transformative potential of education, the importance of lifelong learning, and the profound impact that dedicated educators can have on the lives of their students. Her journey at Tennessee Tech University exemplifies the institution’s commitment to providing accessible, flexible, and high-quality graduate programs that empower individuals to achieve their academic and professional goals, while building ladders for others to climb.
