Deborah Murdock

Deborah Murdock has served as the Assistant to the President for Government Relations at Portland State University since 1993, where she leads the University’s local, state, and federal government relations efforts. Among her key accomplishments are securing Federal funding for Hatfield School of Government, the Millar Library, the Native American Student and Community Center, and the College of Engineering and Computer Science. She has been recognized for her work by the Oregon Women’s Political Caucus, the Hatfield School of Government Public Administration Department, the PSU Vikings, and the PSU Alumni Association. Additionally, Ms. Murdock is the first recipient of the Gary D. Robinson Leadership Award by the Friends of the PSU Millar Library. Her experience includes 25 years of work in public policy administration and advocacy.

Ms. Murdock’s background includes serving as the field director for the Les AuCoin for Senate campaign in 1992. Ms. Murdock was a legislative assistant for Congressman AuCoin on Capitol Hill, with responsibility for taxation, budget, education, veterans, and work and family policy issues. She was a public policy associate with the YMCA of the USA, and was a lead lobbyist on the first-ever federal comprehensive childcare bill to pass Congress and the national youth service legislation. Additionally, Ms. Murdock worked with the Oregon Community College Association and was the Executive Director of a rural childcare resource and referral agency.

Ms. Murdock grew up in San Diego and attended Clairemont High School, which served as the model for Cameron Crowe’s book and movie, “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” She holds a master’s degree in political science from the University of Oregon and an undergraduate degree from San Diego State University. Ms. Murdock has served as an advisor and mentor to many PSU undergraduate and graduate students who are now employed in government and agency positions in Oregon and in Washington, DC.