The Department of Education is excited to welcome Phoebe Murray as the new Academic Program Coordinator. In this role, Phoebe will support the undergraduate concentration, course proposals and schedules, student employment, and a variety of administrative initiatives that sustain the department’s academic and community life.
Phoebe comes to Brown with a background rooted in higher education administration. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Vassar College and a master’s from the University of Pennsylvania, she began working at Penn’s Graduate School of Education as a Graduate Assistant.
“I was primarily hired to overhaul the program’s alumni database,” Phoebe shared, “but soon began to help out with other projects such as event planning, inventory management, and even departmental research.” That early experience sparked an interest in academic operations and student support.
Following graduate school, Phoebe joined Penn’s Department of Earth and Environmental Science as an Academic Coordinator, where she expanded her skills in student outreach, faculty hiring, and departmental organization. “The most valuable skill I learned during this time,” she reflected, “was the importance of intertwining flexibility, compassion, and organization when doing administrative work, which I am excited to apply here at Brown.”
When asked what drew her to Brown, Phoebe emphasized a belief in the power of education and the critical role of staff in creating meaningful learning environments.
“I chose to join the Department of Education because I am passionate about creating a better world through education and because I truly have a passion for administrative work,” she said. “I think staff are an integral part of any department’s functioning, especially when it comes to student support and outreach, both of which are very important to me.”
Phoebe sees her new role as closely tied to Brown’s mission of fostering knowledge, collaboration, and positive change. Reflecting on the current landscape of education, Phoebe pointed to technology, particularly smartphones and generative AI, as both a challenge and an opportunity.
“While these new technological innovations can sometimes lead to decreased student engagement and critical thinking,” she noted, “I believe there are ways to harness the power of technology in order to further the development of critical thought and help students stay engaged with learning.”
Outside of work, Phoebe enjoys reading, playing guitar, and revisiting her favorite TV shows and films with an analytical eye. She also loves crafting, knitting, and collaging and spending time with her partner, family, and cat, Cinder.