Congratulations to Anita Murphy, district superintendent of Capital Region BOCES, who has been selected as the recipient of NSPRA's 2022 Bob Grossman Leadership in School Communications Award! 

The award recognizes one district leader annually for outstanding leadership in and support of school public relations and communications.  

In her role, Murphy focuses on state-level responsibilities such as assisting the education commissioner with implementing statewide initiatives, overseeing the administration of state grants and working with the regional information center on data warehousing, testing and regional planning. Capital Region BOCES provides shared educational services to 24 component school districts with a combined 80,000 students. Since her arrival there in 2017,  Murphy has been instrumental in growing the BOCES communication team and function in both size and scope, and it will become an independent division of the organization beginning in July 2022. 

“Through Anita’s leadership and approach to communications, a true sense of regional community has been fostered,” said Dr. L. Oliver Robinson, superintendent of the Shenendehowa Central School District in Clifton Park, N.Y. “She has changed the way we do business in New York’s Capital Region for the better.”

The Grossman Award is given in memory of Robert L. Grossman, ASPR, an NSPRA past president who believed that the support and commitment of top education leaders is vital to successful school communication. Murphy demonstrates this commitment in part through her close work with Director of Communications and Public Relations Adrienne Leon, APR, whom she strategically placed on the BOCES senior cabinet to ensure that communications efforts align with the BOCES’ strategic plan.

“The award selection committee was impressed with Superintendent Murphy’s commitment to ensuring that strategic and effective communications are a top priority for the Capital Region BOCES,” said NSPRA Executive Director Barbara M. Hunter, APR. “We’re proud to recognize Superintendent Murphy for being a proponent of open and transparent communication, and for integrating communication into the BOCES decision-making processes.”

Murphy will be honored at the NSPRA 2022 National Seminar during the General Session on Tuesday, July 19, in Chicago.