Oct 26, 2012

Interim President Austin Appoints Dennis C. Murphy as Interim Chief of Staff

Board of Regents for Higher Education Interim President Philip E. Austin announced that he has appointed Deputy Labor Commissioner Dennis C. Murphy as his Interim Chief of Staff.

Board of Regents for Higher Education Interim President Philip E. Austin today announced that he has appointed Deputy Labor Commissioner Dennis C. Murphy as his Interim Chief of Staff. Murphy has been Deputy Commissioner at the Connecticut Department of Labor (DOL) since January 2011, and most recently served as the department’s Acting Commissioner. Prior to his time at DOL, Murphy previously served as the Director of Human Resources for the City of Stamford from 2004 to 2008, and was the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Bridgeport from 1992 to 2002. Murphy also has extensive experience in arbitration and mediation, labor relations and grants administration, which will aid in the management of and administration for the Board of Regents.

“Dennis is already familiar with the Board of Regents and its work through his time as an ex-officio member of the Board, and I know he will hit the ground running in this new role,” said Austin. “His work in human resources, administration and management for two of Connecticut’s largest cities, and now as the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Labor, has given him a strong background and the experience necessary to help manage a complex like the Board of Regents. In addition, I look forward to working with him on the issues critical to a successful reorganization of this magnitude – the policies and procedures necessary to govern our staff and presidents, a strong working relationship between the Board and myself, and a way forward to push the aggressive change agenda mandated by Governor Malloy and our legislature, and supported by the Board of Regents.”

“I am honored to accept this appointment, and I’m eager to help Dr. Austin and the presidents, faculty and staff at the Board of Regents and on the campuses work together to ensure that our colleges and universities are an affordable, accessible option for students across our state, and that the campuses play a vital role in the workforce development and economic growth of Connecticut,” said Murphy. “There is a lot of synergy between the work going on at the Department of Labor and the Board of Regents, and I believe we can develop this relationship and others for the benefit of the students who choose to attend our schools. I understand there is a very full agenda to move forward at the Board of Regents, and I look forward to being a part of this team.”

Murphy’s salary will be $129,000, of which the Board of Regents will pay $106,000 and the Department of Labor will pay $23,000. Murphy will spend four days a week at the Board of Regents, and one day at the Department of Labor.