Honor Morgan, '23, Keeps Public Informed at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
By Tony Scott
Honor Morgan, '23, is a public affairs specialist with the U.S. EPA.
(Photo credit: Honor Morgan)
Honor Morgan, ’23, has dedicated her life to serving the public, and she continues that role with her job at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Morgan’s time at NIU helped solidify her love for service and helped shape her growth.
“Looking back, my NIU experience was about more than involvement – it was about discovery, growth, and finding a place where I could contribute meaningfully,” she said. “These opportunities provided the foundation for leadership and professional growth that continues to influence my work today.”
Morgan, who earned her bachelor’s degree in political science with an emphasis in international politics and a minor in journalism, currently serves as a public affairs specialist for the U.S. EPA’s Region 8 Office. The agency’s Region 8 serves Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and 28 Tribal Nations in those states.
A major part of Morgan’s role at the EPA is making sure the public stays informed about its work and priorities in a clear and engaging way.
“I organize press events for senior leadership, draft and distribute press releases, and work closely with reporters and media outlets across the region to share updates about EPA’s work,” she said. “I also coordinate communication strategies that support major initiatives, prepare leadership for media engagements, and ensure consistent messaging across platforms.”
“Beyond traditional media, I also help manage EPA’s regional social media accounts, using digital platforms to expand outreach and connect directly with communities.”
Morgan grew up in Quincy, Illinois. Her mother is a physical therapist and her father is the director of golf at a Quincy golf course; both parents were immigrants from the United Kingdom. She has one younger brother.
Before enrolling at NIU, Morgan had a strong interest in government, community engagement and public service. As a young person, she sought out volunteer opportunities.
“I’ve always been drawn to opportunities that allow me to contribute to something larger than myself,” she said. “My first volunteer experience was when I was eight years old at Quest Stables, a rescue horse barn in Quincy that provides therapeutic riding lessons, and I volunteered there until I graduated from NIU and moved from Illinois. Even now, whenever I visit home, I make time to visit and volunteer there.”
She served on executive boards for a variety of student organizations in high school, including the National Honor Society, Beta Club and Key Club, and learned the importance of collaboration and civic engagement. Her most meaningful experience during high school was getting involved in student government.
“As student body president my senior year, I discovered my passion for strategic planning, communication and coordination,” she said. “I enjoyed the challenge of managing the logistics behind major school events, like homecoming and prom, and found it rewarding to see months of preparation come together in a way that created something meaningful for our classmates.”
Morgan chose NIU because it was affordable and, thanks to scholarships and other assistance, she could graduate debt-free. She received the John Reed Dunn Memorial Endowed Scholarship and CLAS Finish Line Scholarship.
“An academic scholarship, combined with several smaller awards, allowed me to manage tuition while working multiple part-time jobs – sometimes even three in a single semester,” she said. “While it was challenging at the time, I am extremely grateful to start my career without any student debt.”
As with her high school years, Morgan continued to be involved as a student at NIU. She particularly praised her experience as a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority.
“My time at NIU was full of experiences that shaped who I am today,” she said. “I joined Sigma Sigma Sigma, also known as Tri Sigma, in September of my freshman year and lived in the sorority house until graduation. Truly, Tri Sigma is where I found a home at NIU. The women inspired me daily, challenging me to grow ever forward into the best version of myself while supporting one another through every success and setback. Serving in multiple executive board and committee roles taught me the value of leadership, professionalism, and resilience, all lessons that continue to shape my career. I was also honored to serve as Panhellenic Council president, a role that emphasized the importance of collaboration and balancing the needs of multiple organizations.”
She recalled leading a meaningful partnership with City of DeKalb officials during her time as Panhellenic Council president.
“One of my proudest accomplishments in my role as Panhellenic Council president was leading the Greek Row street sign initiative,” she said. “By partnering with the mayor and City Manager of DeKalb, I designed and helped implement new street signs featuring the NIU Huskie logo and the ‘Greek Row’ name. Seeing them today reminds me of the visible and lasting impact that leadership can have on a community.”
In addition to her Greek roles, Morgan belonged to the Pre-Law Honor Society, Camp Kesem and the Order of Omega Honor Society. She also served as treasurer and deputy treasurer of the Student Government Association.
“These roles offered the opportunity to work closely with student leaders and senior administration, ensuring equitable funding for organizations across campus and gaining a deeper understanding of the student community,” she said. “This experience shaped and strengthened my strategic thinking and organizational skills.”
Morgan cited numerous NIU mentors who had a profound impact on her development, including Sladjana Grbic, Marzena Szmydt, and Alex Pitner from Student Involvement.
“The Student Involvement staff were particularly influential,” she said. “Sladjana Grbic, who joined the team during my senior year, provided unwavering support during a mentally challenging period in my life. Marzena Szmydt taught me the value of humor and positivity in leadership roles, and how to think creatively about problems. Alex Pitner taught me one of the most enduring lessons I carry with me today: always ask questions before beginning a project, While this initially seemed intuitive, it wasn’t until Alex emphasized the importance of gathering all relevant context and information before taking action that I truly understood what he meant. This guidance taught me to avoid tunnel vision and approach challenges with a broader perspective.”
Morgan also praised the technical skills she learned from Department of Communication instructor Jason Akst and Photography Manager Wade Duerkes.
“Mr. Akst’s instruction in journalism provided me with foundational knowledge that has been essential in my work with the media,” Morgan said. “Meanwhile, Mr. Duerkes’ photography lessons gave me an additional skill set that proved unexpectedly valuable in my professional career.”
Morgan also highlighted Michael Clark, associate professor and director of Graduate Studies for the Department of Political Science.
“His creative teaching style and engaging storytelling grew my interest in politics and government policy, and this influence was a major factor in my decision to pursue political science academically and professionally,” she said.
Morgan said it can be a challenge to reach the public in a media environment that is changing frequently.
“According to Reuters Institute, more than half - 54% - of people get their news from social media platforms like Facebook, X and YouTube, surpassing traditional television and news websites,” she said. “Historically, EPA has not fully leveraged these platforms to amplify its announcements, which sometimes limited their reach. In addition, the modern information cycle is highly saturated and often clouded by misinformation, making it challenging to cut through the noise and deliver accurate, timely information to the public.”
Morgan, however, also sees the rewards in doing a job where she sees the tangible impact of the EPA’s work in communities.
“For example, I recently deployed to Louisiana to support an emergency response following a facility fire and an oily materials spill,” she said. “In my role here, I helped keep residents informed about the situation and next steps. It was a fast-paced, high-stakes environment, but it was deeply gratifying to see the impact of our outreach efforts in keeping residents informed and reassured about what was happening and what to expect next.”
She continued, “I also find fulfillment in seeing the planning and logistics of public events come together successfully. It’s one thing to organize everything behind the scenes, but it’s another to see community members engaging, asking questions, and benefiting from EPA’s work. Being able to share the agency’s successes and letting people know what we do makes all the challenges worth it.”
At NIU, she learned to keep moving forward even when challenges presented themselves.
“Challenges and setbacks are inevitable, but progress comes from continuing to move forward, even if it comes in small steps,” she said. “You will be okay, and you will get to the end. This mindset has guided me personally and professionally, helping me navigate complex situations and find solutions, no matter how difficult the circumstances.”
Morgan said a true NIU Huskie embodies resilience and determination.
“Huskies face challenges head-on, maintaining a positive outlook while seeking solutions,” she said. “Even when a task feels insurmountable, they persevere, driven by dedication and a relentless commitment to move forward. Huskies don’t quit, they move forward.”
She added, “Equally important is compassion. A true NIU Huskie approaches challenges with empathy and understanding, recognizing that effective solutions often require collaboration and a genuine consideration of different perspectives. This combination of resilience, drive, and compassion truly defines the Huskie spirit.”
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this are solely those of the individual and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or any other agency of the U.S. government. This piece is conducted in a personal capacity, and Honor Morgan is speaking as a private citizen, not as a representative of the EPA.
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