The Florida Board of Governors appointed Brian Murphy to Florida State University’s Board of Trustees on July 11. He begins his term immediately.

Murphy, who graduated from FSU with degrees in accounting and finance in 2000, is the founder and CEO of ReliaQuest, one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity technology companies in the world. ReliaQuest increases visibility, reduces complexity, and manages risk with its AI-powered security operations platform, GreyMatter.

“I’m very happy that Brian has agreed to serve on the Board of Trustees,” said Peter Collins, chair of the FSU Board of Trustees. “As an alumnus, he has a passion for the university and wants to work hard to make us better. I look forward to him joining a great group of people who are focused on moving the university forward.”

Murphy has grown ReliaQuest from a boot-strapped startup to a high-growth, AI-powered technology company with a valuation of over $3.4 billion, over 1,200 team members and over 1,000 customers. The company is headquartered in Tampa, with operations centers in Tampa, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Dublin, London, Amsterdam and Pune, India. ReliaQuest has been consistently listed as one of FORTUNE Magazine’s Best Workplaces in Technology and Inc. Magazine’s Top Workplaces.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Brian Murphy to the FSU Board of Trustees,” said President Richard McCullough. “As a distinguished alumnus with a deep commitment and long record of service to his alma mater, Brian brings a wealth of business acumen and technological insight that will be a tremendous asset to the university.”

Murphy serves as Board Chairman and Founders Circle Member for Embarc Collective, Florida’s fastest-growing startup hub. He was inducted into the Florida State University College of Business Hall of Fame in 2022, and he has served as a member of the Board of Governors for the Florida State University College of Business. In 2017, he served as a featured speaker at FSU’s Spring commencement.

“Joining the Board of Trustees at Florida State University is a huge honor,” Murphy said. “FSU opened doors for me and gave me opportunities that changed my life. I’m looking forward to supporting the university in helping others chase their own possible.”

Murphy was recognized as one of Goldman Sachs’ most exceptional entrepreneurs in 2023 and named as an EY Entrepreneur of The Year® in 2017. In 2020, Murphy was recognized with Junior Achievement’s Vanguard Award for his support of youth education and development.

The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

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U.S. News & World Report has once again named Florida the top state in the country for higher education. Florida’s higher education system has held the top ranking since the inception of the rankings in 2017. This achievement can be credited to the collective commitment of our elected leaders, the Board of Governors and the state universities to student success and affordability.

“Florida’s success would not be possible without the exceptional leadership at our 12 public universities, Governor DeSantis’s commitment to excellence in higher education, and the unwavering support of our legislative leaders,” said Brian Lamb, chair of the Board of Governors, which oversees the State University System. “I am truly grateful for their investment and continued support. Florida has long been a national leader in higher education, and retaining this #1 ranking proves the Florida way is working. By prioritizing student success, with an emphasis on providing all students a high-quality, low-cost education, Florida’s universities are leaning in to produce top-tier talent to meet workforce needs, increase research capabilities, and retain the best and brightest faculty whose excellence and expertise provide the platform from which we create the future.”

Metrics considered by U.S. News & World Report include the time it takes students to complete two- and four-year college programs, the cost of in-state tuition and fees, and the debt burden that college graduates carry. Florida improved on two of the five metrics in the recent rankings, including four-year graduation rate and educational attainment. We remained #1 for the lowest tuition and fees.

The State University System recently announced a 12 percent five-year increase in graduation rates and a 49 percent year-over-year drop in the cost-to-the-student for a bachelor’s degree. Due to support from elected leaders and initiatives that drive down costs, the average State University System student pays less than $3,400 for a bachelor’s degree once financial aid is included. Additionally, 75% of resident undergrads had no loans during the 2020-21 academic year, up from 69% the previous year.

“This recognition affirms the incredible collaboration among our universities, our System, and Governor DeSantis and our State Legislature to prioritize Florida’s students,” said Ray Rodrigues, chancellor of the State University System of Florida. “Accountability is key, and the state’s investments in performance-based funding have given our System the tools necessary for our students to achieve a higher quality of education, graduate faster, with little to no debt.”

Accountability is critical to the System’s continuing rise in productivity and reputation, and the state’s investments in performance-based funding have provided the tools necessary for this ranking. In the fall of 2020, the Board of Governors added a dashboard on the homepage that provides a transparent way for all interested parties to monitor our System’s performance on these prioritized metrics.

Facts about the State University System of Florida and the Board of Governors

The State University System of Florida is a constitutional body led by the 17-member Board of Governors.  The System has 12 universities and more than 430,000 students, making it the second-largest public university system in the nation.  Responsibilities include defining the distinctive mission of each institution and managing the System’s coordination and operation.  The Board appoints a Chancellor who serves as the System’s chief executive.  For more, visit flbog.edu or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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