Staff Spotlight: Morgan Kirk

For Morgan Kirk, serving as coordinator of the CSUDH Basic Needs Program is the best job on campus. “I love what I do!” she declares. “It gives me joy that our services are helping students in need. I enjoy knowing that I am making a difference in their lives.”

Kirk’s position at CSUDH involves supporting students who face food and/or housing insecurities on campus. She provides case management for housing insecure students, and supports students with temporary emergency housing. Kirk also manages and facilitates monthly food distribution events, partnering with EveryTable and the CSUDH farmers’ market to provide fresh, nutritious meals for Toro students in need.

“I am really proud of the food distribution events,” says Kirk. “We’ve been hosting them since March, 2020, and have supported over 3,500 students so far. It feels great to see students’ smiles!”

Kirk graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and human communications from Utah’s Dixie State University, then attained a master’s degree in higher education from CSU Fullerton in 2018. She has always wanted to work in a field in which she could be a part of students’ personal and educational journeys.

“I connect with the transformational educational experiences that take place on our campus,” she says. “Basic Needs has a huge impact on students. As a department, we try to provide educational workshops that teach students skills like cooking that will benefit them when they leave DH.”

When she’s not working, Kirk says she’s a “homebody” who likes hanging out at home with family and friends, going to the movies, or watching sports–especially NFL games featuring her brother, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk.

Overall, Kirk finds working at CSUDH to be uniquely rewarding. “The students and staff I have encountered on campus make working here special,” she says. “I can honestly say that I’ve built a real sense of community and support on campus that goes a long way!”