Dothan, Ala. (WDNews) – Wallace Community College-Dothan will soon welcome a new leader. On Wednesday, May 14, the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees approved Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker’s recommendation to appoint Dr. Kathy Murphy as the next president of WCCD.
Dr. Murphy currently serves as President of Gadsden State Community College, a role she’s held since January 2021. Her new appointment becomes effective June 1, 2025.
“We’ve made a decision that I believe will be proven to be a very good decision because we had an applicant that we already know what they can and will do,” said Chancellor Baker. “Dr. Murphy’s heart, energy, and will to do a good job are second to none.”
Dr. Murphy’s move to Dothan marks the end of a four-year term at Gadsden State. She shared her appreciation for her time at the college, saying, “It has been my honor to serve as President at Gadsden State and I will miss our wonderful college, our exceptional faculty and staff, and, of course, our amazing students. During the past four years, we have experienced so many successes and there is so much more to come, and I cannot wait to hear about Gadsden State’s progress and future successes.”
She will be the first permanent president at WCCD since the retirement of longtime leader Dr. Linda Young, who concluded her 36-year tenure last year.
“Some people go to work every day to their job and others go to their career and I get to go to my calling,” said Dr. Murphy. “I appreciate the opportunity and the privilege I have to be a part of the Alabama Community College system, to have had the absolute blessing and pleasure of serving at Gadsden. Now, I warmly embrace and look forward to the opportunity and the privilege that we’ll have to serve alongside the great folks that are already at Wallace-Dothan.”
Dr. Murphy brings more than 30 years of experience in education. Before leading Gadsden State, she served as Superintendent for both Hoover City Schools and Monroe County Schools. She also held principal positions at Charles Henderson, Greenville High, and Greenville Middle schools and taught at the University of West Georgia and Judson College.
She earned several degrees, including a Doctor of Education in Physical Education from Auburn University and multiple advanced leadership degrees from Auburn University Montgomery. She holds a bachelor’s in education from Troy University, which also named her its 2024 Alumna of the Year.
Dr. Murphy’s leadership is expected to bring a new chapter of success and growth for WCCD as she takes the reins in June.
