Kelli Murray is the new assistant dean of administrative services, working in the dean’s office in the College of Health Professions and Sciences. Murray joined the college in late September and hit the ground running by making connections with people to better learn how she can support and meet the needs of the college and its people.
Learn more about Murray and her role in the college.
How did you come into your role here at the college?
Murray: I went to undergrad at the University of Florida as a management information sciences (computer programming) major. After I finished all my core classes, I decided that I wasn’t excited about the lack of people contact in computer programming, so I switched to finance and economics. After graduation, I went to Florida State University for law school and started practicing law in Orlando for several years before entering academia as a career counselor and employee relations manager for law students at Barry Law. I eventually was recruited to work at the University of Florida as Chief of Staff to the dean. When the pandemic hit, I realized that I wanted to come back to Orlando to be closer to my loved ones in times of emergency, so I was lucky enough to find a new career here at UCF!
What do you do in your current role?
Murray: I like to say that my job is working on all aspects of CHPS’ best resources: people, money and space. I get the opportunity to do anything that is administrative in our college. I love being able to help and support everyone in their roles across the college. I get a lot of personal joy and fulfillment in supporting others.
What are some of the things that excite you about working at CHPS?
Murray: I like new and shiny things. I think for many people, they look at UCF and think, ‘UCF has been around forever,’ but the truth is that we are a new college with so many great opportunities ahead of us. We have our strategic plan in place, we have amazing people working here, and I’m excited to see how we will grow as we move forward.
What are you looking forward to in your role?
Murray: I am looking forward to the food and the potlucks! But, aside from the good food I hear that people make, I’m also looking forward to connecting with people. I’ve had a chance to dabble in connecting with others via Zoom and Teams, but I am excited to really get to know people. I also want to see everything that we, as a college, have dreamed of come true. We have a great foundation here and I can’t wait to see what we build in the future.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Murray: Outside of work, I just love people (and my dog, Milo!). I like to go out and socialize and to get involved with professional and community organizations. But for right now, since I just finished an executive MBA program a few weeks ago, I look forward to coming home from work and doing absolutely nothing — Netflix is enough to keep me busy. I’m looking forward to peace and quiet. But I do like to keep connected with family and friends.
What is something on your bucket list you want to accomplish?
Murray: There are so many countries that I want to go visit. South Africa and Greece are at the top of my list. I love to go where the locals are when I visit a new place. I don’t go to the tourist spots and follow the crowds; I like to go to the local restaurants, stores and those places where I can really see the culture and the community.
