New president bring new vision to WIT

Murrell, who succeeds Dr. Robert E. Dunker, was formerly executive vice president of Western Iowa Tech. As president, he will have responsibility for all educational programs, personnel, facilities, and equipment involved in the operations of the college.

His appointment begins a new chapter in the life of the college. "I consider it a tremendous honor and privilege to have been selected for this position," Murrell says. "I plan to build on the great foundation laid by my predecessors, but I also plan to provide vision and strategic direction that will shape the identity of the college for many years to come."

Murrell joined Western Iowa Tech in 2007 as vice president of instruction and student services and was promoted to the position of executive vice president in 2009. Before joining WITCC, he was vice president of campuses and student affairs with Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Neb. Previously he was dean and campus manager at Metropolitan Community College. He also was director of The Creative Center, a two-year graphic arts college, in Omaha.

Murrell earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Kearney, a master's degree in public administration with an emphasis in labor management from the University of Louisville in Louisville, Ky., and a doctorate in leadership for higher education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The future for WITCC, according to Murrell, depends on solid relationship building. "I have learned that relationships are one of the most important aspects of education," he says. "We need to build strong relationships with our students but we also need strong connections with our community and the businesses and organizations of Siouxland. Many of the opportunities that exist at the college have arisen out of our strong partnerships with people outside Western Iowa Tech."

Many of the challenges facing WITCC are shared by institutions of higher education across the country: how to stay relevant in a constantly changing world; how to be more flexible and responsive to changing demographics, economic conditions, and labor needs; how to navigate the tricky waters of technological change.

Murrell knows that it will take a great deal of the college's time and resources to address these issues but he is determined to accept the challenge. To that end, he is reviewing all of the college's major functions and processes. "The focus of the college will be on learning and creating an outstanding learner experience," he says. "It is a college goal to be the best community college in the state of Iowa within the next three years."

Murrell is only the third person in the history of the college to hold the position of president. Dunker, who retired July 26, succeeded Dr. Robert H. Kiser, the first president of WITCC.

He and his wife Amy have been married for 19 years and have two sons, Zachary (17) and Connor (14). They live in Sioux City.