Heather Murray

Heather Murray

Principal Lecturer

Phone678-717-3523

Office locationStrickland Academic, 204, Gainesville

Area(s) of Expertise: New South social history, Appalachian history, WWII American home front, public history/museum studies

Overview

Heather Murray's scholarly focus centers on the WWII-era American South. She has published on topics in Appalachian history and has worked in the public history field at multiple state museums across the South.

She was the recipient of a 2013 Innovation in the Classroom Grant, the 2017 and 2021 recipient of the Teaching Excellence Award for Non-Tenure Track Faculty, and the 2024 recipient of the Excellence in Online Teaching Award. 

Currently, Ms. Murray is a Principal Lecturer of History in the College of Arts and Letters.

Courses Taught

  • HIST 1111: World History I
  • HIST 1112 and 1112-Honors: World History II
  • HIST 2111: U.S. History I
  • HIST 2112 and 2112-Honors: U.S. History II
  • HIST 2860: History of World Religions

Education

  • A.B.D., American History, Louisiana State University, 2010
  • M.A., History, Western Carolina University, 2002
  • B.A., Anthropology, University of Georgia, 2000
  • B.A., History, University of Georgia, 1999

Publications

 “Asheville, NC.” Encyclopedia of Appalachia.  Knoxville: Eastern Tennessee University. 2006

“‘Adequate in Our Courtesy:’ Race Relations in Jackson County, North Carolina.” Tuckasegee Valley Historical Review (Spring 2002): 31-51

“The Fight for Student’s Rights: Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District.” Tuckasegee Valley Historical Review (Spring 2001): 6-26

Williams, Max ed. The History of Jackson County. Sesquicentennial Edition. Sylva, NC: Jackson County Historical Society, 2001. (contributor); 

Work Experience

  • Principal Lecturer, 2024 – present – University of North Georgia
  • Senior Lecturer, 2017 to 2024 - University of North Georgia
  • Lecturer, 2010-2017 - Gainesville State College / University of North Georgia
  • Instructor of History, 2007-2010 - Gainesville State College / North Georgia College & State University