UNC Board of Governors Elects All-Female Leadership

Wendy Murphy ’93 was unanimously elected as the new board chair of the UNC System Board of Governors. Murphy is among the slate of all-female officers leading the UNC Board of Governors, the first time in UNC System history.  The board elected the new leaders in May. 
  
Murphy is joined by Kellie Hunt Blue as the vice chair and Pearl Burris-Floyd as the secretary. Their two-year terms in their leadership positions begin July 1, 2024.  
 
“I’m honored to be elected chair at a time when three women will assume leadership roles as Board officers for the first time in history,” Murphy said. “This is a critical moment for higher education, and I’m blessed to serve alongside Vice Chair Kellie Hunt Blue and Secretary Pearl Burris-Floyd. Together, we have meaningful experience on university boards in North Carolina, and I know we will always keep students at the forefront of our minds when making decisions about the university.”   
  
A former teacher, Murphy earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She was appointed to the UNC Board of Governors in 2017 and has served as vice chair since 2019. Before joining the UNC System board, Murphy was a member of the UNC Wilmington Board of Trustees from 2005 to 2015, where she served two terms as board chair. Murphy resides in Wallace, NC, where she is involved in hospitality businesses as part of Murphy Family Ventures. 
 
Murphy, and her husband, Wendell, established the Wendy & Dell Murphy Distinguished Professorship in Education to further their strong legacy of support for UNCW, southeastern North Carolina, and higher education. The distinguished professorship supports teaching, scholarship and engagement in the Watson College of Education.  
 
“Congratulations to UNCW alumna Wendy Murphy, a dedicated advocate for quality higher education in North Carolina,” said Chancellor Aswani Volety. “With her experience and commitment to serving students, the UNC System will soar to new heights under her leadership.” 

To learn more, visit the UNC System website.