“Athlete at heart” helps PSU student-athletes navigate college

By Nathan Watson

Nicole Murphy is a Pitt State assistant athletic director for student success. However, that title is far too narrow to fully capture the many hats she wears.  

“If I help a person in a day, that’s success,” she said.

Often seen are the bright lights around Pittsburg State for sporting events, but behind the scenes are many hardworking people who make those moments possible.  

Path to Pittsburg 

Born in Arkansas City, Kansas, about an hour south of Wichita, Murphy is familiar with the state, but she said the years that most shaped her career were spent at the University of Minnesota. 

Murphy was a successful student-athlete in the Twin Cities, earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees while competing as a Division I track and field athlete. After completing her education, Murphy decided to pursue a career in sports. 

“I’m an athlete at heart, so I wanted to stay connected to athletics in some form,” Murphy said.

With that goal in mind, a mentor provided inspiration for her future career path. Mentors in her life played a key role in motivating Murphy to step into the development side of athletics. 

“She supported us beyond athletics and made sure we were prepared for what came next,” Murphy said. 

That support left a lasting impression and became a characteristic Murphy would later incorporate into her own career. 

Murphy’s work at Pittsburg State began in the Jack H. Overman Student Center, where she managed the office of diversity and inclusion and spent time getting to know students on a personal level. Conversations with students, many of them athletes, led Murphy to notice gaps in the student-athlete experience. With her background and motivation, she felt confident in her ability to help fill those gaps. 

That motivation led Murphy to her current role as assistant athletic director for student success. When asked about her responsibilities, she described herself as “kind of a one-stop shop.” 

“We do academics, compliance, eligibility, getting connected to campus resources and a little bit of mentoring, among other things” Murphy said. 

Murphy ensures student-athletes are not only enrolled in classes but in the correct courses and credit hours needed to earn their degrees and remain eligible under NCAA requirements.  

She also manages communication between professors, advisors and coaches while serving as a mentor who supports athletes both academically and personally. 

Murphy has found success in her role not only because of her background as an athlete but because of her genuine enjoyment of helping others and her appreciation for Pittsburg. 

“I love the people and the pride of the school,” Murphy said. “I have never been anywhere where there is so much pride for a university. You see it in the people and around town.” 

“When people here say, ‘let me know if you need anything,’ they really mean it,” she added. “That is special.”

While Murphy can often be seen at championship events and home games, she said her favorite part of the job, besides helping others, is watching students succeed in all aspects of life. 

“It doesn’t always have to be the big things,” Murphy said. “Sometimes a student comes back and says, ‘Miss Nicole, I passed my test,’ and that matters.” 

“If you don’t appreciate those little moments, you’re not going to appreciate walking across the stage or standing on the podium,” she added. 

Murphy’s impact is seen in her interaction helping students. Zyra Shivers, a transfer student and member of the track team, recently spent time working with Murphy as she settled into school. 

“She was very helpful with me as a transfer student,” Shivers said. “She goes above and beyond and works through whatever problem you have, then and there.” 

After Shivers transferred midyear, Murphy ensured she was enrolled in the correct classes and eligible to compete. Shivers praised Murphy for her timely communication and for improving the experience of a new gorilla. 

Deeper than a job 

“I think my story is more relatable to what student-athletes are experiencing, even if they don’t know the specifics,” Murphy said.  

Murphy is motivated to help students and brings that purpose with her every day. 

“Knowing there is someone I’ll interact with who could benefit from what I know, t hat motivates me,” Murphy said. “My goal is for your experience to be better than my generation’s experience, and for you to show up better than those who came before you.” 

Nicole Murphy may not be a name widely recognized by the public, but her behind-the-scenes impact helps Pittsburg State continue to thrive as an elite institution. Murphy’s success cannot be easily measured, but it can be summed up in one simple quote she lives by: 

“If I help a person in a day, that’s success.”