Jacob Murray

As Faculty Director for Professional Education, Jake Murray is charged with

developing innovative higher education programs and professional pathways for a wide range

of learners. He currently oversees projects to design online/hybrid programs, competency-

based education models, alternative pathways into teaching, and new training and

apprenticeships for various professions and industries.

Prior to joining the BU School of Education, Jake Murray served as the Executive

Director of the Aspire Institute (“Aspire”) – Wheelock College’s innovation hub – for eight years.

Under Mr. Murray’s leadership, Aspire established 30 college-community initiatives, raised over

$20 million in funding, and expanded from two to 18 staff. Aspire also emerged as a leading

policy adviser and convener, strategic planning partner, and statewide professional

development provider, serving over 7,000 educators and human service professionals, and

spurring policy changes and program development at the state, city, and school district levels.

Within Wheelock, Aspire spearheaded the College’s development of online and hybrid learning,

competency-based learning, and alternative teacher education models.