Dr. Daniel J. Hurley, CEO
E-mail: dhurley(a)masu.org
Daniel Hurley has been serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU) since 2015. MASU serves as the coordinating board for Michigan’s 15 public universities, providing advocacy and fostering policy to maximize the collective value these institutions provide in serving the public interest and the state of Michigan. Hurley has returned to the Association where he served from 2003-2007 as its director of university relations. From 2007-2015, he served as the associate vice president for government relations and state policy for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), based in Washington, D.C. For the past 25 years, Hurley has worked directly on behalf of public university presidents and other campus leaders at the institutional, state, and national level, providing support aimed at helping them advance the universities’ missions.
On behalf of the state universities of Michigan, Hurley coordinates a variety of policy, programmatic and advocacy efforts. He serves as a consultative resource to colleges and universities, legislators and other state officials, higher education and policy organizations, and state and national media, providing insight on a variety of higher education issues. He is involved with several organizations, including the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, Midwestern Higher Education Compact, and the Education Alliance of Michigan. His insights and commentary have been cited in state and national media outlets including the New York Times, USA Today, Inside Higher Ed, Chronicle of Higher Education, Bridge Michigan, Detroit News and Detroit Free Press.
Hurley has received a Ph.D. in public administration from Western Michigan University, a master’s degree in career and technical education from Ferris State University, a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Grand Valley State University and an associate degree in liberal arts from Grand Rapids Community College. He has served as adjunct professor for graduate and undergraduate level programs at three of his alma maters, as well as George Mason University (VA) and George Washington University (D.C.), teaching in the fields of communications, educational leadership, higher education finance, and public policy.
Dr. Mia Murphy, Chief Policy Officer
E-mail: mmurphy(a)masu.org
Mia Murphy serves as the Chief Policy Officer of the Michigan Association of State Universities, having joined the Association in July 2015 originally as its Director of University Relations and Policy. In the CPO role, she: manages a broad portfolio of initiatives; researches and promotes effective policy for the state’s public universities; advises the CEO; and is the convener of or liaison to 16 of the 19 MASU committees. She partners with state officials, lawmakers, and other organizations on higher education public policy, especially data, finance, and legal issues, and also provides strategic analysis and communications to the member universities and other stakeholders. She also oversees the review process for all new academic programs proposed at the state universities.
Mia was previously with the State Budget Office of Michigan from 2008 – 2015, serving most of that time as the senior analyst for postsecondary education. At SBO, Mia provided coordination and policy development for the state’s community colleges and public universities and served as the primary official preparing the $2.5 billion combined community colleges and higher education budgets. She provided recommendations to the Governor and State Budget Director on budget issues and potential policy solutions, and testified before the Michigan Legislature on behalf of the administration.
She has earned a Ph.D. in the Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education program at Michigan State University, a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from MSU. She has guest lectured at Georgetown University, Grand Valley State University, and Michigan State University.
Ms. Robyn Cline, Office Manager & Executive Assistant
E-mail: rcline(a)masu.org
Robyn is the office's most senior professional, having served twenty-nine years as office manager and executive assistant. Robyn assumes responsibility for coordinating and managing the executive office operations, composing correspondence, compiling reports and preparing communication. Robyn also updates the Michigan Association of State Universities' website.
Prior to joining MASU she served in secretarial capacities in both the public and non-profit sector. She has a master’s degree in Family Life Education from Western Michigan University and a BA in business management from Davenport University