Meet the Editor.
Dr. Kuanita E. Murphy
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
Rural Leader Magazine
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Dr. Kuanita E. Murphy is a native of Cuthbert, Randolph County, Georgia. She is a 1993 graduate of Randolph Clay High School. She is holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (1997) and a Master's of Arts degree in History (2004) both from Valdosta State University.
Murphy also holds a Doctorate of Management degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix (2014). Her dissertation title was “A Phenomenological Study on Leadership in Rural Communities.” The study explored the lived experiences of rural leaders in six counties in Georgia: Calhoun, Clay, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart, and Terrell. Throughout her childhood, Murphy enjoyed creative express in various forms. However, she did not plan to pursue a course of study in art until the latter part of her freshman year at VSU. During this time, she discovered her hidden passion to paint and to draw. Sometime later, she would marry her gift of storytelling, history, and art to portray various aspects of African American life in the rural south. Murphy’s artistic career encompasses a series of prolific work. She created unique two and three-dimensional art chronicling various aspects of history. Her work was featured in the 2006 Celebrating African American Art Calendar published by Comda Calendar. She also exhibited at various community colleges, universities, and non-profit organizations. In 2008, she designed a Christmas ornament for Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. The ornament was displayed on the official White House Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. in behalf of President George W. and Former First Lady Laura Bush. The theme was “A Red, White, and Blue Christmas.” She was also a featured artist in Southwest Georgia Living Magazine in the May/June 2011 edition and the Georgia Municipal Association Newspaper in April 2011. In 2012, Murphy represented Georgia in the United States Cards Project. She designed the 10 Spades card. She is extremely involved in local, regional, and state-wide initiative. Murphy is a 2010 Leadership Georgia alumna. She is also an author and columnist, who contributes weekly for the Cuthbert-Southern Tribune and The Citizens Times; and previously for the Metro Gazette (Albany, GA). Murphy also volunteers her time and talents to various local non-profit organizations. She employs her graphic design skills to design brochures, pamphlets, business cards, invitations, program booklets for individual clients, organizations, and civic groups. In 2010, she received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Award. In 2011, she received the Labor Award for Community Service. In the same year, March 16th was declared Kuanita Murphy Day declared by City of Cuthbert, City of Shellman, and Randolph County, Georgia for exemplary community service. She is a member of Delta Mu Delta Lambda Sigma Chapter, University of Phoenix (2012); United States Press Association (2016); in 2016, she became a member of UPWARD (Uniting Professional Women Accelerating Relationships & Development), a 501(c)(3) designed to help women move UP in their careers. Murphy also serves on a number of boards, such as Albany Technical College's Board, Albany Area Primary Health Care, and Randolph County Chamber of Commerce to name a few. In 2013, Murphy became the publisher and Editor-in-Chief for Rural Leader Magazine, a digital publication that highlight leaders in small rural communities nationally and abroad. In 2016, she also became the editor and publisher of The Scholars of Collegiate Distinction and the Eagle Elite Club. January 19, 2016, Dr. Kuanita E. Murphy was honored and named a member of the International Society of Business Leaders (ISoBL). ISoBL is based in New York and is comprised of members who stand at the forefront of their industry across a diverse range of fields, including international finance, oil and energy, technology and information systems, medical and healthcare, and elite academic fields, among others. ISoBL, in essence, reflects the global movers and shakers who affect real change and progress in their fields. In February 2017, Murphy was honored by the Georgia Senate for her exemplary service to community and creation of Rural Leader Magazine.# Contact Information E-mail: [email protected] Follow Dr. Murphy on Twitter |
