It likely comes as no surprise to those who know that one of her first thoughts after learning she had received a prestigious personal award was how she could use the experience to benefit her students.
Murray, an associate teaching professor in the at the and faculty advisor for , was recently named one of four international recipients of the for the 2025-26 academic year. Sponsored by , a global network of audit, tax and consulting firms, the award recognizes Beta Alpha Psi faculty advisors across the United States, Australia and New Zealand who go above and beyond in mentoring students, strengthening chapter engagement and creating lasting impact through their support.
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Beta Alpha Psi is an international honor organization that promotes academic excellence, professional development, ethical leadership and service among students and professionals in accounting, finance, business technology and analytics. Since Murray became its advisor during the 2014-15 academic year, UMSL鈥檚 chapter has earned gold status every year but one, and it is under consideration for platinum status for 2025-26.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a tremendous honor, and I think it鈥檚 long overdue,鈥 said , professor and chair of the accounting department. 鈥淭he way she has impacted students, year after year, has been incredible. This is well-deserved.鈥
And not easily earned. In fact, Murray said she had to go through a bit of an awkward process to be considered for the award. Twice, actually.
鈥淚 applied for it last year, because I always want to just apply for everything,鈥 Murray said. 鈥淏ut I had to ask people to write letters for me and say nice things, and that鈥檚 a pretty uncomfortable position. I didn鈥檛 get it last year, but this year, I was like, 鈥榃ell, what鈥檚 it going to hurt? I鈥檒l try it again.鈥 Still uncomfortable 鈥 鈥楥an you write me a letter, please?鈥 鈥 and it鈥檚 hard.鈥
But in true teacher fashion, Murray said she began to think about how she might be able to turn that into a life lesson for the students.
鈥淥ftentimes, you have to go in and do things that are uncomfortable to get something good,鈥 Murray said. 鈥淚f the worst thing that happens is you鈥檙e told no, you can always try again, right? And the next time, maybe you鈥檒l be successful.鈥
, who served as president of UMSL鈥檚 Beta Alpha Psi chapter during the 2025-26 academic year, credited Murray as 鈥渢he driving force鈥 behind both the organization鈥檚 success and her own professional growth. Through networking events, professional development seminars and community service opportunities, Kemp said Murray consistently created spaces for students to build confidence and connect with accounting leaders across the region.
鈥淪he was able to help us blossom and showcase our skills for some of the top professionals,鈥 Kemp said. 鈥淚 feel like her being able to connect me with these opportunities has really helped me on my journey to be a better accountant and be better prepared for my career.鈥
Murray in the accounting industry before she began teaching Saturday classes at UMSL in August 2000, and she became a full-time faculty member in 2009. Murray was initially the faculty advisor for UMSL鈥檚 but said she was drawn to Beta Alpha Psi as an international organization that would present more opportunity to travel for meetings and events, as well as the chance for students to participate in competitions.
Murray said that working with Beta Alpha Psi has had a significant impact on how she views her role at UMSL, and it has allowed her to make more of a connection with the students. It has also given her plenty of satisfying moments knowing that she played a part in jumpstarting many careers.
鈥淲hen we have events, for instance the accountants networking night, and a student comes to me the next day and says, 鈥楬ey, I got an interview,鈥 and then the next week they say, 鈥業 got another interview, and I think I got a job,鈥 that鈥檚 a home run,鈥 Murray said. 鈥淭hat feels wonderful, and it鈥檚 happened pretty frequently. I鈥檓 always happy about that.鈥
In recognition of the award, Murray and the other recipients of the RSM Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award 鈥 Timothy Baker of California State University, Fresno; Michael Bootsma of Iowa State University; and Leslie Blix of Sam Houston State University 鈥 will be honored by the during a celebration luncheon as part of its annual meeting in Las Vegas Aug. 1-5. Additionally, Murray will receive $5,000, and she plans to give half to UMSL鈥檚 Beta Alpha Psi chapter.
鈥淏ecause of what I think the club has given me, I want to give back to the club,鈥 she said.
