Mary Ann Murdoch

Professor of Humanities & Film, Honors Program, Liberal Arts
Honors Teaching Area: Humanities

Phone: 863.297.1010
Internal Extension: 5158
Email: mmurdoch@polk.edu
Office: WLR 232-D, Winter Haven
Station: 31

Quality Instructional Design
Global Studies

Mary Ann Murdoch is a professor of Humanities, Film, and Yoga Philosophy. She has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of South Florida and a master’s degree in Liberal Studies (Humanities) from Rollins College.

She worked as a journalist — writer, editor, and photographer — for 25-plus years. Career highlights include being a rock music critic, film critic, and radio disc jockey. She is a published and award-winning fiction author and poet. Extensive travel includes throughout North America; multiple trips to Europe, but especially Italy and the U.K.; Australia; South America; Africa in 2011 to teach in Uganda; a trek to India in 2018; and back to Africa in 2019 to visit Egypt.

Murdoch is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT200), and longtime practitioner. She teaches yoga at a studio, and does presentations/workshops on yoga, mindfulness, and breath work. She has taught yoga for Polk State’s Wellness Program, and has presented at Professional Development Day.

Murdoch embraces Eastern wisdom, including Buddhism and Taoism, and proudly proclaims herself a freethinker.

Her award-winning photos have been on view at several Polk State gallery exhibits, including winning Best of Show in the 2018 and 2020 “Capturing Cultures” exhibits. She had a book of short fiction and poetry published in 2016. Additionally, Polk State awarded her the Thelma Raley Endowed Teaching Chair in 2016, and the Theater Seats Endowed Teaching Chair in 2022.

She is pursuing a Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D.).

Murdoch has been teaching Humanities at Polk State since 2009. She enjoys sharing and connecting with students and the College community; the challenge of making classes relevant and engaging; and being a guide on the path of knowledge, discovery, and creativity.