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Leadership Studies Alumni Spotlight: Morgan McBroom
Role: Associate Director of Student Services, Cal Poly Humboldt Financial Aid Office
Year Graduated: 2018
Where are you now and what have done career-wise?
Since graduating in 2018, I have continued to build my career in higher education at Cal Poly Humboldt’s Financial Aid Office, where I have advanced through two promotions, first as coordinator of front line services and later as associate director of student services.
I also serve on the board of North Coast Cal-SOAP (California Student Opportunity and Access Program), which supports local students as they prepare for college, navigate the financial aid process, and transition from high school to higher education. Serving on the board has given me a broader perspective on the experiences and needs of Humboldt County students as they consider their paths after high school.
I am also involved with Cal Poly Humboldt’s Prison Education Program, supporting the administration of financial aid for students participating in our program at Pelican Bay State Prison. Working with these students has been one of the most meaningful parts of my career. Their commitment to education and the opportunities it creates for themselves and their families is incredibly inspiring.
Within the Financial Aid Office, I have also worked with our leadership team to develop a clearer career pathway for financial aid advisors. As our office has experienced the retirement of many long-serving staff members, we recognized an opportunity to create a more intentional path for employees entering the profession. This work has resulted in a structured five-to seven-year career pathway that provides clearer opportunities for growth and professional development.
Any special accomplishments?
I recently completed my master’s degree in educational leadership through CSU East Bay. The program examined leadership in education, how students experience learning in different ways, and how educational leaders can address inequities and create more supportive learning environments. I was able to connect my graduate work directly to my professional experience, including a thesis examining the impact of targeted and holistic student services for students who were not meeting the academic requirements for financial aid.
In 2025, I also completed Leadership Redwood Coast, a regional leadership fellowship focused on the unique opportunities and challenges facing Humboldt and Del Norte counties. The program brought together professionals from across the region and provided opportunities to develop leadership skills, build relationships, and consider how we can contribute to positive change in our communities.
Did the Leadership Studies program help you career wise?
The Leadership Studies program has been instrumental in my career development. It taught me to think about leadership not simply as a position, but as a skill developed through critical thinking, understanding organizational change, and building sustainable systems for long-term growth.
One of the most valuable aspects of the program was being able to apply what I was learning directly to my work. The concepts I encountered in the classroom often gave me new ways to approach challenges in my department, while my professional experiences gave me opportunities to put those ideas into practice. That connection between education and experience helped shape my decision to pursue graduate study and continue seeking professional development opportunities in higher education leadership.
