Murry, Nikita
Biography
As Director of the Center for Collaborative Learning and Engagement, Dr. Nikita Murry leads Central Michigan University’s efforts to promote engaged learning and reflective growth for faculty, staff, graduate students, and external partners. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of University Engagement, she develops experiential programming grounded in CMU’s Leadership Standards. Her work emphasizes meaningful dialogue, restorative practices, and collaborative skill building across campus communities.
With over a decade of experience in adult education, curriculum design, and developmental facilitation, Dr. Murry works closely with academic colleges, the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, and the Institute for Transformative Dialogue to align university initiatives with core values of integrity, communication, and service. She fosters environments that support authenticity, creativity, and principled leadership.
A former King-Chavez-Parks Future Faculty fellow, Dr. Murry now oversees CMU’s KCP FFF initiative and co-chairs signature events such as the Klymyshyn Symposium and Conversations That Matter dialogue series. She facilitates certification courses that promote lifelong learning and represents her unit on committees guiding CMU’s academic and civic goals. Her collaborative, mission-driven approach helps cultivate a university culture where individuals thrive as responsible and engaged leaders.
Dr. Murry earned her Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision from Western Michigan University, a Master of Arts in professional and school counseling from CMU, and a journalism degree from Michigan State University. She brings every aspect of her professional training and experiences to the work of supporting positive growth and change.
Beyond campus, Dr. Murry founded The Go BACK Project, a nonprofit supporting youth and families healing from trauma. Her board service includes organizations such as the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence and The ROCK Center for Youth Development. Currently she volunteers with the Midland Area Community Foundation grants committee, the Children’s Grief Center, YoungLife International, and The Avalon Village. A proud member of Faith Ministries Church and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Dr. Murry brings heart and vision to every space she serves.
More about Nikita Murry
Publications & Presentations
Workshops and Presentations
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy: Professional Development Workshop (November 2020). Midland Public Schools District, Midland, Mich. Co-presenter with Amy Beasley, Ph.D.,
Dow Chemical Co. Learning to COACH Student Success: Professional Development Training (May 2019).
Kids First/Family Enrichment Workshop, Saginaw Public Schools, Saginaw, Mich., Presenter. Keeping HOPE Alive (July 2018).
Intelligent and Talented (IT) Girls Annual Conference, Belton, Texas. Talking Trauma in the Classroom (May 2017). Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence Annual Conference, Bellaire, Mich. Co-presenter with Loyce Brown and Melissa Wallace.
The Neurobiology of Trauma and Development (March 2015). Professional Development Training, Midland Public Schools/Counseling Staff, Midland, Mich. Presenter.
Understanding Trauma and Children (December 2013). Staff Training, Midland County Educational Service Agency/Early Childhood Educators and Childcare Providers Workshop, Midland, Mich. Presenter.
Talking Trauma and Teaching (March 2012). 22nd Annual State of Michigan Equity in the Classroom Conference, Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, Mich. Presenter.
Select Refereed Publications
Pimpleton, A.M. & Murry, N. (2015). 50 Shades of Brown: Understanding the social, sensual and sexual African-American woman. In V. Berry, A. Fleming-Rife, & A. Dayo, (Eds.) Black Culture and Experience: Contemporary Issues. New York, NY: Peter Lang Publishing.
Lieser, M.L., Tambling, R.B., Bischof, G.H. & Murry, N. (2007). Inclusion of sexuality in relationship education programs. The Family Journal, 15(4), 374-380.
Steele, J.M., Murry, N., Steele, D., Kamau, P., Romero, D., Wall, A.T., & Plunkett, D. (2006). Learning and growing together. Counseling Today, 49(4), 37.
Education
PhD: Counselor Education and Supervision. Western Michigan University
M.A.: Professional Counseling | Central Michigan University
Graduate Certificate, International Administration |Central Michigan University,
B.A., Journalism | Michigan State University
Research Interests
As a mental health professional, Dr. Murry specializes in trauma-informed care, multiculturalism, healthy sexuality, and gender identity development related to race and intersectionality. She also provides supervision to limited-licensed practitioners.
Membership in Professional Organizations
Michigan Council to End Domestic/Sexual Violence, board member
Children’s Grief Center of the Great Lakes Bay Region, board member
Praxis International, Advocacy Learning Center, alumna Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Midland Alumnae Chapter
Leadership Midland, alumna
American Counseling Association (ACA)
Association for Counselor Educators and Supervisors (ACES), past member
International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP), train-the-trainer
King/Chavez/Parks Future Faculty Fellowship (KCP), Western Michigan University, fellow
King/Chavez/Parks Future Faculty Fellowship (KCP), Central Michigan University, fellow
North Central Association for Counselor Educators and Supervisors (NCACES), past member
Current Licenses/Certifications Held
Licensed Professional Counselor, Michigan
Licensed School Counselor, Michigan (Expired)