Dr. Murphy is a tenured Professor of Chemistry who joined the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 1995. Prior teaching appointments were at Howard Payne University, the University of New Mexico, the University of Albuquerque and Southwestern University.

Memberships include the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions; the Texas Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (elected offices held: Chair and Member-at-Large); the American Chemical Society (elected section offices held: Treasurer and Advisor), Division of Chemical Education, Division of Chemical Health and Safety, Division of Fluorine Chemistry; Phi Beta Kappa; and the Associated Chemistry Teachers of Texas.

Committee memberships (past and present) at UMHB include the Health Professions Advisory Committee which she co-chairs, Christian Planning Committee (past chair), Quality Enhancement Program Oversight Committee, Environmental Concerns Committee, Student Development Committee, Curriculum Committee, and the Library Committee. She is a member of the Graduate Council and the Teacher Education Council, and co-sponsor of the Faculty/Staff Prayer Group. She serves as Goldwater Faculty Representative, Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP) Faculty Director, and Campus-Wide Recycling Director.

Advising responsibilities include Chemistry, Pre-Dental, Pre-Medical, Pre-Medical Records, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Physical Therapy, and Pre-Pharmacy.

Dr. Murphy is a Subject Matter Expert in Physical Science for the Competency-Based Education Program "UMHB My Way." For UMHB's Quality Enhancement Program she serves as liaison for Science Writing.

Dr. Murphy is a member of the First Baptist Church of Belton; she has organized and led apartment Bible studies for adults, and taught children’s Sunday School classes.