Richard Murphy
Director, Center for Youth Development and Policy Research
Academy for Educational Development

Richard Murphy is a Vice President of the Academy for Educational Development and the Director of the Center for Youth Development and Policy Research. The Center was established in 1990 at the Academy in response to the fact that increasing numbers of youth were not reaching their full potential. The Center sees its role as strengthening national, state, local and community leaders' capacity to craft public and private policies, programs, and practice standards that are supportive of the country's young people. Specifically, the Center's goal is to increase the number of people, places, and possibilities available to all youth.

Prior to joining the Center, Mr. Murphy served as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Youth Services from 1990-1994. During his tenure, the City made an investment of $40 million new dollars in youth development activities that included the creation of the New York City YouthLine and the Beacon Schools. The Beacon Schools, which are open up to seven days a week, remain the largest public commitment to the community school movement in the country. Mr. Murphy is also the founding director of the Rheedlen Centers for Children and Families located in central Harlem. Rheedlen is a pioneer in school community collaborations and community development work. Mr. Murphy is the recipient of the Ellen Lurie Award and the Georgetown Bicentennial award.

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