Alumna honored for community leadership

The community involvement of others helped shape Renee Murphy ’92 into the person she is today. Now, she’s the one giving back.

Murphy earned the 2019 Iowa Campus Compact Community Leadership award, which goes to an alumnus of a member institution making strong contributions to their community and demonstrating the values of the civic mission of higher education.

“Since I was in fourth grade, I had school staff and teachers provide opportunities for me to make money (usually babysitting), to enter writing contests and piano contests, and to meet other people,” Murphy said. “I want to give those same opportunities to others today.”

Murphy, the Vice President of Marketing at CJM Financial and co-founder of Sassy Social Media Management, gives back by donating to various local charities and supporting Simpson College.

She is a founding member of 100 Women Who Care Ankeny, a member of the Rotary Club of Ankeny and an integral part of the Ankeny Chamber of Commerce, serving on the board of directors from 2016-18.

To give back to their alma mater, Murphy and her husband, Trent ’90, are strong supporters of the college’s entrepreneurial program, EMERGE@Simpson. The couple also offers a scholarship for students in need.

In addition to providing monetary support, the Murphys take time to mentor others, get involved in individual endeavors and boost educational opportunities. 

“Simpson supported me through one of the most significant, impressionable, and transitional times in my life,” Murphy said. “Simpson affects so many lives year after year…I want to be a part of that and help where I can in time and dollars.”

At Simpson, Murphy was a Student Counselor Advisor Friend team member and captain of the cheer team. The psychology major was active in the Tri-Delta Sorority and was a Kappa Theta Psi Little Sister. 

While there wasn’t a single event that sent her on the path to community involvement, Murphy said the college fostered a sense of community within her.

“It was the entire experience at Simpson, the values of the college and the people who were there, the integrity of the college and the support of faith (no matter your religion). Simpson shared the belief that there was something larger than us in the world and we were encouraged to demonstrate that in our everyday lives.”

About Iowa Campus Compact

Iowa Campus Compact is a statewide association of college and university presidents providing leadership for the civic mission of higher education. Iowa Campus Compact strengthens the capacity of our member colleges and universities to prepare all students to become engaged citizens.