The New Generation of Leadership: The Installation of Murphy Leadership Academy’s First President
When Max Murphy talks about entrepreneurship and it’s impact on America’s youth — you can’t help but want to listen.
The new Murphy Leadership Academy will be celebrating the institution’s first leader and first season on September 3rd with the Presidential Installation.
The 18-year-old Massachusetts native has dedicated his career to entrepreneurship. He comes to MLA from WitchTown Tours where he served two years as the company’s Chief Executive Officer. A student and pioneer of the entrepreneurship education model with over a decade of experience in nearly every facet of business management, he lives for the moments when success comes alive for young entrepreneurs — the ultimate goal, in his mind.
President Murphy’s own dedication to entrepreneurship education began when he was in high school. Curious, competitive, and already successful in the business world, he focused on doing what needed to be done and doing it well — inspiring him to teach others.
In 2016, President Murphy launched the Max Murphy Entrepreneurship course series at his local high school, where he taught 40 of his fellow classmates and students from surrounding schools about innovative entrepreneurship and leadership skills.
Though he’s not the first to say he’s been blessed to have worked with people who’ve instilled in him the value of education, hard work and the belief he can do anything, President Murphy’s abilities to lead and inspire were clear early on: He was team captain, three-time regional champion, and one-time national qualifier for USA Swimming and his team, Webb’s Tornadoes. He was also heavily involved with his high school’s drama club. When the club lacked a leader, President Murphy rose to the occasion where he directed the state semi-finalist production of Superior Action. At the advice of his club advisor President Murphy brought the program to the Marshfield Middle School where he co-directed and technical supervised an award-winning production of The Lion King Jr.
I spoke with Max, as he prefers to be called, for a wide-ranging conversation that touched on everything from his favorite author (James Patterson) and favorite activity (sleeping!) to his habits for success (writing, compartmentalizing, and living every minute to the fullest), but here we focus on how his professional opportunities have prepared him to be Murphy Leadership Academy’s first president.
This is your first position in educational leadership. Why MLA?
Great question! Well, to start when I heard about this institution’s guiding mantra I wanted to get involved as much as possible, and I provided the organization’s founding endowment (which is why it’s called ‘Murphy’ Leadership Academy)! Entrepreneurship education has always been something I was passionate about, and ultimately, what i’m about as an educator is creating moments of transformation and connecting students with learning and identifying paths they didn’t know were possible. That’s my ultimate goal.
What financial challenges do you see facing MLA as a new institution?
Financing any nonprofit is a challenge, but for small, new organizations, it’s especially challenging. One of the central questions we need to address is, What is the ideal size for MLA that allows us to predict with accuracy how many students will enroll, that attracts students who will succeed with our rigorous academics, and that maximizes net tuition revenue?
It is incredibly important for small nonprofits not only to focus on the short and near term, but also to build long-term stability through our endowment. A strong central fundraising campaign will give us an opportunity not only to address short-term needs but also to find ways to support programs that are dedicated to delivering our mission for the years to come.
Another question we need to address is, What can we do that sets us apart programmatically? For example, there are many options today in terms of how to deliver an academic program, and MLA has been exploring some of these alternatives. Academic strategic planning will be important. It is really important that we examine what we can do best and then deliver that really well.
How do you plan on connecting with the first/future students at MLA?
Students are what we are all about! One of the ironies for many people working in education administration is that they get into this work because of their passion for working with students, and then the more success they have, the less contact they have with them. I will offer open office hour visits every week. I would like to interact with students in more informal ways. And I find it inspiring to see students putting what they learn to work. I look forward to taking my partner Raymond with me to our student’s athletic events, performances and cheering them on in all they do. Not to mention, I will be teaching an entrepreneurship course for the academy this winter!
We’re getting to know President Murphy, but we’re getting to know Max Murphy, too. Tell us about your family.
I grew up in Hanover, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. It was a great place to grow up. I’m the oldest of three— we’re spread out over 4 years — and my parents are have totally opposite careers. My mom is a compliance officer and my dad sells countertops.
I’m dating someone, his name is Raymond and he’s great! He just moved here from a town in California to go to college on the North Shore in Massachusetts. He’s my loudest cheerleader and I wouldn’t be able to do a lot of what I do without him. He’s definitely getting sick of this, I mention him in all of my interviews!
I’ve got a puppy named Grizz, he’s a baby frenchie. I love him to death! Maybe they’ll let me take him to class. Probably not. But hey, a boy can dream.