Julie Murray-Jensen has been named president of Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois. The college is one of the very few educational institutions in the country classified as a “work college.” Students work on campus and receive tuition discounts as a result. Blackburn College enrolls just over 500 students, 57 percent of whom are women.
Dr. Murray-Jensen has been serving as vice president of enrollment and external affairs and the executive director of the KCC Foundation for Klamath Community College in Oregon. Previously, she has held other positions at the college including vice president of external programs from 2014 to 2016 and vice president of student services from 2011 to 2013. Prior to that, she held various positions at the University of Virginia, Pacific University, the University of Minnesota, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Nebraska-Kearney, Bowling Green State University in Ohio, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
“I enthusiastically accepted the position of President at Blackburn College because I believe there is no better model for higher education than what Blackburn proudly provides — broad quality liberal arts education coupled with strong work-based job skills to make our students THE most competitive in the world for 21st century careers,” Dr. Murray-Jensen said. “I am excited to work with the Blackburn board, faculty, staff, and students to build on this foundation — where affordable, relevant, and rigorous higher education is not only possible but essential for success in today’s global world.”
A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Dr. Murray-Jensen earned a master’s degree in education from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, and an educational doctorate from Oregon State University.
Dr. Murray-Jensen will assume her new role on January 14, 2019.