Dr. Corey Murphy became Superintendent of Aiken County Public Schools in July 2024.

Murphy has served in public education for 26 years; the last four in Aiken County where he lead as the Chief Officer of Operations and Student Services. As the school system's Operations Chief, he was responsible for daily operations, including facilities construction management, instructional technology, safety and emergency management, transportation, and school discipline. His role also encompassed oversight of all student services activities, including nursing services, school counselors, attendance, homebound, and support to military families. Under his leadership, $240 million in new school construction and campus improvements were completed, teachers received panic devices for their classrooms as well as enhanced audio capabilities with lesson capture for remote learning, and the district was successful in attaining a grant for enhanced safety and security.

Prior to moving to Aiken County in 2020, Murphy was Chief of Staff at Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools in Williamsburg, Virginia. Earlier, he served five years as Principal at Beaufort High School and five years as Principal of Great Falls Middle/High School.  He was an Assistant Principal at Camden High School as well as a classroom teacher for the SC Department of Juvenile Justice and Eau Claire High School.  He is also currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserve and has more than 23 years of honorable service. 

He experienced significant success as a school-level leader. As Principal of Great Falls Middle/High School South Carolina’s Midlands (2007-2012), he led the school to its lowest dropout rate in history and highest graduation level, as well as a Palmetto Gold Award for Closing the Achievement Gap. Then, as Principal of Beaufort High (2012-2017), he overhauled the academic program, which led to students earning the highest number of Career and Technical Education (CTE) completers in district history, as well as several school records, including highest graduation level, lowest dropout rate, highest SAT composite score, and highest Advanced Placement (AP) course participation. In addition, to being awarded the Palmetto Gold for General Performance each year, the school also improved its federal accountability rating (from 74.5 to 87.1) and was awarded the only Blue Star for Financial Literacy award in the state.

In 2017, Murphy moved from school to district administration, and temporarily, his home from South Carolina to Virginia, where he served as Chief of Staff for Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools. In Williamsburg, he led an extensive strategic planning process and an equity initiative, while ensuring efficient, effective school system operations and supervising human resources, student services, special education, gifted services, health services, social work, psychological services, athletics, communications. Among many duties, he also led principal mentoring, school board policy revision, as well as a calendar committee.

Murphy spent most of his childhood in Duncan, South Carolina. He became a first-generation college graduate by earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of South Carolina in Columbia in 1997. He went on to earn numerous advanced degrees, all from USC Columbia, including a Masters in Educational Leadership and Supervision (2003), Educational Specialist in Administration (2005), as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration (2017). He holds Superintendent Certification in both South Carolina and Virginia, as well as Pre-K-12 Administration and Supervision Certification (Virginia), and Secondary Principal and Supervisor Certification (South Carolina). He is also a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources.

Locally, he serves on the Board of the United Way of Aiken County, as well as the Board for Rural Health Services. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the American Association of School Administrators, the South Carolina Association of School Administrators, and the National Association of Secondary Principals.

He and his wife Sherell are thrilled to have returned to South Carolina. Upon their first visit, they immediately knew they were home.

Administrative Assistant

To reach the superintendent or make an appointment, please contact Ms. Kim Chriswell.

Ms. Kim Chriswell

(803) 641-2430

Email Ms. Kim Chriswell