Choosing AmeriCorps is a deeply personal decision for each service member. For Morgan Furman, a recent graduate of The University of Tennessee (UT) with a BA in Business Analytics and International Business, serving at UT Sustainability as their Outreach and Engagement Coordinator is an opportunity to combine her passion for data ethics, public policy, and meaningful community engagement. Morgan’s story is one of intentionality, curiosity, and a desire to make a lasting impact.
When I sat down with her to talk about her AmeriCorps “why,” it became clear that her path was guided by a commitment to service and a willingness to tackle challenging issues head-on.
Before joining AmeriCorps, Morgan spent two years with UT’s Office of Access and Engagement. There, she helped run summer programs designed to empower students from low-income and underrepresented schools. These programs offered ACT and SAT prep, life-skills training, and a scholarship upon completion. For Morgan, the most rewarding part of her role was witnessing the tangible impact these programs have on student’s lives.
Morgan’s passion for cultural exchange and policy work also took her overseas. In the summer of 2023 she was accepted into the Japan Ambassador Program, run by UT’s Baker School of Public Policy. Morgan spent the summer speaking with Japanese government officials and policy workers. Her experiences deepened her understanding of global challenges and inspired her to seek solutions grounded in ethical practices and data-driven insights.
Morgan’s connection to AmeriCorps runs deep; her mother, Jennifer, served Habitat for Humanity in 1999, making Morgan a second-generation service member. However, her decision to join was solidified during a non-AmeriCorps service trip to Ashville, North Carolina, where she worked on urban community gardens, trail maintenance, and local school projects. Meeting AmeriCorps members along the way and hearing their enthusiasm for the program resonated with her desire to serve her community. When corporate recruitment came knocking, Morgan took a step back to reflect on her goals, desires, and integrity. She knew she did not want to work for large financial institutions. Instead, AmeriCorps offered an opportunity to focus on her values, gain practical experience in place making and capacity building, and work toward her goal of earning an MA in Public Policy Analytics.
So far in her time with CAC AmeriCorps and UT Sustainability, Morgan has been involved in several impactful initiatives. Highlights include:
- Collaborating with UT arborists to develop a Level 4 Arboretum.
- Creating a sustainability module for UT’s first-year studies program to educate all incoming freshmen.
- Helping establish a peer mentor program for sustainability and geography majors to guide freshmen.
- Contributing to the STARS report, which benchmarks UT’s sustainability efforts against other state schools.
- Chairing the STARS outreach subcommittee.
These projects reflect Morgan’s dedication to ensuring sustainability is not just a concept, but an embedded practice in UT’s culture. When asked how AmeriCorps has changed her outlook, Morgan shared that the experience has been transformative. “Even when the work is difficult, it’s still good work,” she explained. Seeing the direct impact of her efforts has made her more hopeful. She’s learned that while many people care deeply about their communities, they often lack access to the resources that enable them to be change-makers. Being able to create that access has been incredibly rewarding for her.
For future AmeriCorps members, Morgan offers this advice: “AmeriCorps is what you make of it. Self-advocacy is key – be a sponge, soak up as much as you can, and take advantage of all the resources [that AmeriCorps provides]. There’s so much learning and network-building to be had if you’re willing to lean into the experience.” Morgan Furman’s AmeriCorps journey is a testament to the power of serving others, the importance of ethical leadership, and the belief that small actions can lead to big changes. As she looks to the future, she’s determined to stay in spaces where she can continue building bridges and creating opportunities for others: a true change-maker in every sense of the word.
You must be logged in to post a comment.