Patricia (Patty) MonaghanPatricia Monaghan couldn’t have guessed the prominent role MSVU would play in her life when she was just beginning her studies at the university.

Along with being the institution from which she earned a Bachelor of Child Studies degree in 1989 –providing the foundation for her career as a leader in early childhood education – Mount Saint Vincent University is also where Patricia met her husband Brian Murray (BA, ’89), where their oldest daughter, Molly, attended preschool at the Child Study Centre on campus, and the institution Molly graduated from with a Bachelor of Science in 2022.

Today serving as the Executive Director of Nova Scotia Early Childhood Development Intervention Services, Patricia is a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education. The award recognizes her long and impactful career spent fostering young children’s early development.


MSVU’s history is rich with the stories of countless people who’ve had an impact on the university and in the broader community. Over the course of 2023, we’ll feature stories about 150 MSVU students, faculty, staff and alum. Check back often to meet more amazing MSVU people!