SALISBURY — Nelson Murphy, Catawba College’s chief financial officer and chief operating officer, has assumed additional responsibilities as executive vice president of the school effective this month.

Murphy has been taking on broader coordination and execution of information technology, enrollment management, development operations and communications, according to the college. His new role will formalize those reporting responsibilities, enabling college President Brien Lewis to focus on longer-term strategic objectives and major resource development.

Current members of Lewis’ cabinet who are responsible for those four divisions will continue to serve as cabinet officers and work directly with the president on cabinet-level decisions.

Director of Athletics Larry Leckonby will have a “dotted line” reporting relationship with the president to ensure that institutional authority is maintained in compliance with accreditation standards.

The operational focus of Murphy’s new role will expedite decision-making and improve efficiency as the president is away from campus more frequently for fundraising activities, according to the college.

Catawba appointed Murphy as vice president of business and finance in January 2015 to succeed retiring Chief Financial Officer Chuck Williams. Before joining Catawba, he was a financial leader for domestic and international businesses. This included senior roles with AT&T, Northrop Grumman Corp., Reader’s Digest Europe and Telegis Networks Inc., a venture capital-backed business in Los Gatos, California.

Murphy earned his bachelor of science degree in accounting from Wake Forest University. He completed the Darden Executive Education program through the University of Virginia.

He and his wife, Carol, live in Salisbury and have two adult sons, Connor and Charlie.