WARWICK, R.I. – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly announces that Business and Professional Studies Associate Professor Maureen A. Murray, of Exeter, RI, has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Teaching Excellence Award by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). This prestigious honor recognizes educators who exemplify excellence in teaching and dedication to student success within business education.

Professor Murray received the award during the ACBSP Conference 2025, held June 18–22 in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she was celebrated alongside fellow regional honorees.

For more than 30 years, Professor Murray has served as a pillar of CCRI’s Business and Professional Studies Department, where she brings both academic rigor and real-world experience into the classroom. Her course portfolio includes Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Intermediate Accounting, Personal Income Taxes, and Principles of Management, each enriched by her 15 years of practical accounting experience.

"Professor Murray’s dedication to excellence in teaching reflects the very best of CCRI,” said CCRI President Rosemary A. Costigan, Ph.D., RN. “She sets a standard that inspires students and colleagues alike. Her deep commitment to student learning, paired with her leadership and professional expertise, exemplifies the transformative role community college faculty play in shaping futures.”

Beyond the classroom, Murray demonstrates exceptional leadership and service across the college community. She has been a key figure in CCRI’s accreditation efforts and academic integrity initiatives, including serving as chair of the Accreditation and Scholarship Committees, Treasurer of the CCRI Faculty Association and Scholarship Committee, and a member of the Program Review and Assessment Advisory Council.

“I am honored and privileged to accept the ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award. More importantly, I am truly grateful for the opportunity to educate students and serve the CCRI community,” said Professor Murray.

“Maureen brings her full self to her work, in every class, every student, every initiative,” said Maria Coclin, CPA, Chair of the Business and Professional Studies Department. “She is a master teacher, a thoughtful mentor, and a generous colleague. This recognition from ACBSP is a fitting tribute to her decades of dedication and excellence.”