Changing lives

Beginning his working life as a high school teacher and coach, Jay Morgan certainly didn’t expect to rise to the presidency of Morehead State University.

“Particularly at an early age, I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d be a university president,” he says.

This experience, far away from the C-Suite, allowed Morgan to see how abstract leadership concepts are actually applied on the ground. After teaching in high school, he went back to university to earn his doctorate and began teaching in higher education.

“I was very happy. I loved working with students. I liked that interaction of students, day in and day out,” he adds.

After some time, Morgan’s focus expanded outside of the classroom, leading him to organizational leadership.

“The words I use quite often are transformational leadership. I really am consumed by that,” he says.

The outcome of this results-focused approach can be clearly seen at Morehead State University, where Morgan used a transformational mindset to turn around the university.

“The organization was poised for a change when I got here nine years ago. Today, we’re sitting here as the number 12-ranked public regional university in the southeast United States,” he says.

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“Working with Morehead State University is a source of real pride for our team, especially as many of us are alumni. To return and help build new facilities on the same campus where we built the foundation for our careers is an honor. Their collaborative approach, honesty and shared commitment to success make them an exceptional partner.” – Clay Ratliff, President, Construction Management, Rising Sun Developing

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While he set out to make a major change at the university, he respected the academic community in the process.

“I’ve not approached higher education leadership with a strict business lens,” he explains.

By considering core questions that are often overlooked, Morgan has built an effective leadership philosophy over his 25 years of experience in higher education.

“I was always asking, How do you make something better? How do you move something forward?” he says.

Mission-driven approach

Serving a part of the Appalachia region in the United States, which has faced a set of challenging economic issues in recent years, has been a central element of Morgan’s role. With one in every two students coming from a low-income background, their high level of achievement is even more noteworthy.

“Our university is very well known for being supportive to first-generation college students. We offer opportunities that change lives,” he says.

From doctors to lawyers and accountants to teachers, countless professionals have been educated by Morehead State University.

“We change the trajectory of lives by opening doors to opportunity and possibility,” he says.

By working closely with industry partners, Morgan and his team have developed a clear framework on how to boost both employability and ensure students are competitive in the global economy of today.

“On a regular basis, we invite advisory boards composed of business and industry members. We want to hear from them what their needs are,” he says.

Four high-impact practices – undergraduate research, an internship experience, service learning and studying abroad – have emerged from these conversations. Preparing students to graduate and enter the real world is essential in the view of Morgan.

“If a student completes an internship, their entry into the workforce commands US$6,000 to US$8,000 more dollars in income at the point of entry. We want people who understand the world,” he says.

Rapid adaptation

Keeping up with innovations in educational technology is, of course, critical for universities like Morehead State University. However, the sheer scale and speed of this tech advancement are clearly a challenge for all organizations, with educational establishments being no exception.

“AI is changing the campus very quickly. I will be the first to admit it is hard to keep up. We like to think of ourselves as leaders, but in AI, we’re catching up,” he explains.

The complex issue of how or whether to embrace AI technology is being discussed across the world in both business and academia. Shifts to online learning, too, have changed how classes are delivered to students.

“Years ago in education, we all showed up in the classroom and took our notes, and we left. Our students nowadays, about one third, are completely online or on hybrid-based programs,” he says.

Morgan is deeply proud of the space science program at Morehead State University, with the program being one of only a few of its kind in the United States.

“Now think about that for a minute. When you think about space science, you think about Florida and California, but right here in Kentucky is an R&D space science center,” he says.

Over the past five years, the space science ecosystem at Morehead State University has rapidly grown, serving NASA, the Jet Propulsion Lab and the Department of Defense.

“We’ve been adding contracts, we’ve been adding staff and we’ve been adding infrastructure,” he adds.

Thanks in large part to partners like construction firm Rising Sun Developing, Morgan and his team have been able to meet the high demand for new infrastructure within the university. Even Morgan is amazed at how such projects have taken on a life of their own.

“I am proud of the progress we’ve made, and I look forward to what the future holds,” he says.