Stephen F. Austin State University

The co-director of the European Union Center for the University System of Georgia has been named dean of the College of Liberal and Applied Arts at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Dr. Brian Murphy also serves as professor of political science at North Georgia College and State University. His previous administrative positions at the college have included head of the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, director of the honors program, and coordinator of international programs.

In 1998, Murphy was appointed general secretary of the Transatlantic Information Exchange Service, a program launched by the European Commission and United States Information Agency. More recently, he was appointed to a strategic planning committee for the University System of Georgia to prepare higher education in the state to leverage competition in the global economy.

In the past five years, Murphy has written grants that have earned more than $1 million in external funding. He has received awards including Distinguished Professor, ACE Award for Internationalizing the Curriculum, and a Fulbright-Hays Award.

In addition to a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Dayton in Ohio, Dr. Murphy holds master’s and doctorate degrees in political science from Miami University.

According to Dr. Baker Pattillo, SFA president, Murphy will arrive at SFA in July. His appointment, pending approval by the Board of Regents, will be effective Sept. 1, 2007.

Dr. Murphy replaces Dr. James Standley, who has served as dean of the college since its creation in 2005.