With 30-plus years in a variety of industry sectors, Dr. Jenni Murphy spent the past 23 years at Sacramento State. As a scholarly practitioner, she works at the intersection of higher education, workforce development, and community impact. She applies her professional background, personal characteristics, and academic training to build and implement strategies that move organizations and communities forward.

Dr. Jenni’s policy and practice research focuses on state and institutional policies impacting the shortage of postsecondary completions and degree attainment in California. In addition to her role as dean for the College of Continuing Education, she also serves as the Sr. Innovation Fellow for Workforce and Education Partnerships. As a Sr. Fellow, she is responsible for establishing models to develop, implement, and foster strategic partnerships, alliances, and programs. She works across the university as a member of the President’s Council and the Academic Affairs Leadership Team. 

Dr. Jenni currently serves as the Regional Cabinet Chair for the Online and Professional Education Association, is a previous commissioner for the CSU Commission on Professional and Continuing Education, a board member for Impact Foundry, and is the past board chair for Girl Scouts Heart of Central California. She is a recipient of the Chester A. Newland Academic Excellence Award from the American Society for Public Administration, the Edward M. McAleer Jr. Excellence and Innovation Award from the California State University, the Distinguished Service Alumni Award from Sacramento State, and was also recognized in the Sacramento Business Journal’s 2020 cohort of Women Who Mean Business. 

Dr. Jenni earned a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Sacramento State, a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, and a baccalaureate degree in Communication from Arizona State University.