Bio

I was in a college classroom for 32 years as a Professor of Political Science & History teaching just about every conceivable higher education cohort there is, from adult learners to traditional college students, athletes in intercollegiate competition, and inmates within New York State correctional facilities.

In addition to teaching within my academic discipline, I’ve coached basketball on the varsity high school, NJCAA Div. III, and NCAA Div. III levels. I also taught Social/Ballroom dancing professionally (that’s how I made money to pay for grad school), and I spent my under grad college summers as a life guard and Red Cross Swimming Instructor. To say teaching is in my blood may be a bit of an understatement!

Currently, I am semi-retired from being the Executive Director of Organizational Development at Mohawk Valley Community College (a member of the State University of New York system). In that role I created, implemented and oversaw programs aimed at the development of a vibrant culture of personal and professional enrichment that reinforces organizational goals focused around student success and empowerment.

I was also directly involved in mentoring faculty and staff on pedagogical, motivational, and leadership issues at my college, at community college campuses throughout America, at national educational conferences, and to public and corporate audiences. This consulting work has grown to the point where it has become my primary occupation and professional passion! 

I have an AA degree in Liberal Arts from Camden County Community College, NJ, a BA from the University of Massachusetts with a major in Political Science and a minor in Secondary Education, and a MA in Political Science from Villanova University, PA.

For flat out fun my first love was basketball. Once it became clear after high school that a career in the NBA was not in my future, I became an endurance athlete finding joy in running, biking, cross country skiing, hiking and mountaineering, often accompanied by my canine companions Winston and Stella. My other outdoor passion is fly fishing for native trout in pristine high-elevation back-country streams in beautiful mountainous areas of the country like the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains of Virginia, where we currently reside in our log home that sits between these two mountain ranges.

At the center of it all for me is my family. My lifelong companion is my wife, soul mate, dance and hiking partner, and best girlfriend ever, Marilyn. The good Dr. Murphy had a thriving practice as a clinical psychologist. She now helps me manage my speaking engagements throughout the country. We have three grown children; Erin (in the Philadelphia area of South Jersey); and David and Daniel (in New York City). We love spending time with them when we can!