Check out my Blog,
Harder, Here
A Cumulative Collection of my Thoughts, Ideas, and Adventures.
Pictured are the Martin Scholars during our trip to Atlanta.
Martin Scholars Trip to Atlanta
Posted November 8th, 2024
Now that I have finally unpacked, I would love to share with you what I gained from my most recent adventure with the Martin Scholars, part of The Martin Center for Mentorship in Communication on our trip to Atlanta.
Over the course of two days, we visited a total of 7 sites to gain insight of the different types of communication roles that we can pursue after graduation. On day one, we visited Chick-fil-A Corporate Support Center, The Home Depot, Adult Swim, and The Coca-Cola Company. During our "corporate" day, we learned how internal communications navigate crisis while remaining true to company value, as well as the importance of strong leadership within. Our second day was our "agency" day; visiting Golin, Jackson Spalding, and Arketi Group. These visits gave perspective on the external communications world, and gave me advice that helped me feel more relaxed as we approach graduation this Spring.
These visits have been so crucial to my development as not just a student, but as a person. I was exposed to real-world experiences in the workplace, and learned about the various different roles that I can use my degree for. Beyond that, I created memories that will last a lifetime with my newfound support system. Thank you Tom Martin for the unforgettable experience that this trip was, and for introducing me to my fellow scholars, and lifelong friends, Hollis Collman, Emilia Feltner, Liv Lott, Charlie Nealon, Talya Mungin, Jacqueline Jevtich, Evan Malcolm, Casey Riley, Griffin Hogan, Grace Tener, and Blakesley Rhett.
Stay tuned to hear about our trip to Washington D.C. and New York City in the Spring!
Be sure to check out the video linked below, created by fellow Martin Scholar Jacqueline Jevtich. It’s a hilarious parody of the 2012 Olympic Swimming Team's “Call Me Maybe” video—because who says scholars can’t have a little fun?
Audio Investigations Project Update
Posted October 27th, 2024
For my Communication capstone project this year, I am producing a 30-40 minute audio documentary exploring the most effective strategies for nonprofit messaging in both public and political sectors. To gain insight, I plan to interview leaders in nonprofit communication, along with lobbyists and legislators who advocate for institutional change. My goal is to understand how nonprofit initiatives can be presented to the public in ways that inspire funding and support, as well as identify the steps needed to elevate these issues to the governmental level.
So far, I’ve explored various methods of information-gathering for my research. I began by conducting a practice interview with my coworker, Sharon, who has experience with desk work at Dee Norton, a child advocacy center in Charleston. Although her role wasn’t directly related to nonprofit messaging, our conversation gave me valuable insights into the structure of nonprofit organizations while helping me refine my interviewing skills.
Next, I conducted a participant-observation study by volunteering during a dinner service at the local homeless shelter, One80 Place. While this volunteer-based approach didn’t directly align with my research focus, the experience was incredibly rewarding and reaffirmed my motivation to pursue this project.
I also practiced text analysis by listening to two episodes of Social Work Conversations, a podcast hosted by Dr. Blake Jones, a social work professor at the University of Kentucky. In one episode, Jones interviews Shanon Moody, a PhD student and policy advocate at Kentucky Youth Advocates. They discuss “Lobby Day” in Kentucky—a day when nonprofit and community organization advocates meet with state legislators to drive positive policy change. This episode was a turning point for my research. It opened my eyes to the critical role lobbying plays in nonprofit advocacy and highlighted a whole new dimension of messaging that I need to analyze to achieve my goal of promoting institutional change.
I’ve attached Episode 25 of Social Work Conversations below. This two-part episode provided invaluable direction for my project, and as I continue to gather and organize my research, I’m excited to share the final results with you. Stay tuned!
Focused on messaging for nonprofits, the goal of my project is to create positive change on the federal level.
Pictured here is the Class of 2025 Martin Scholars.
Martin Scholars Annual Wampee Retreat
Posted October 1st, 2024
This year, I had the incredible opportunity to join the Martin Scholars program at the College of Charleston, a leadership-focused initiative aimed at fostering both personal and professional growth as I prepare to apply my degree in the real world. This program has provided me with invaluable insights into the professional world—opportunities I could never have imagined. Beyond that, it has connected me with a dedicated professional mentor and, most importantly, a supportive community of like-minded peers who have become lifelong friends.
My past weekend was spent at the annual Martin Scholars Wampee retreat, and it was definitely one for the books! Jam-packed with team building exercises, thought-provoking discussions, inspiring presentations, and amazing hospitality. This was an experience that I will forever be grateful for. It was wonderful getting to further my connections with my fellow Martin Scholars, as well as getting the opportunity to meet the lovely Schottland Scholars and BHC Service Leadership Scholars; fellow Cougars who share the same passion for knowledge and drive for success as me and my crew.
I will forever be grateful for this experience, not just for the yummy food, but for the lifelong skills it has given me. I learned things like how to use social media to my advantage and the importance of being a strong leader; but most importantly, I gained introspect to my personal strengths, reflecting on how to use them to be the best version of myself. I can’t wait to develop my strengths (Input, Individualization, Arranger, Connectedness, Relator) throughout my final year at the College of Charleston, and put them to use as I transition into my future career.
Attached below is a link to the Martin Scholars homepage, where you can stay updated on our activities or learn more about this exceptional program. Housed within the Martin Center for Mentorship in Communication, this prestigious initiative has been the highlight of my time at The College of Charleston.
Lessons I've learned Through my Experience in the Service Industry
Posted August 5th, 2024
Since the age of sixteen, I have maintained consistent employment, gaining valuable experience across multiple roles. My first job was at Autobell Car Wash, where I started detailing cars and quickly transitioned into a commission-based sales role. By eighteen, I entered the food and beverage industry at a local Charleston restaurant, advancing from hostess to server in a short time. It was in this role that I discovered the joy of creating meaningful customer experiences. Every shift brought the opportunity to meet new people, and I took pride in building connections that extended beyond the menu.
Now, as I approach the end of my serving career, I reflect on the invaluable lessons I’ve gained. Working in high-pressure environments taught me to stay composed and adaptable, while engaging with diverse clientele helped me develop strong interpersonal skills. I’ve learned the importance of fostering customer relationships and sharpened my abilities in reliability, empathy, and problem-solving. As a manager at my current restaurant, I effectively lead a team, delegate tasks, and ensure exceptional service, embodying the principles of business-to-customer (B2C) engagement. These experiences have equipped me with skills that I’m confident will serve me well in any career path, regardless of the industry.
Below, I’ve attached a LinkedIn article titled "Why I Love to Hire Candidates with a Background in Hospitality or Retail" by Sophie Cullen, Editor-in-Chief of The Hotel Journal. If my blog post didn’t fully convince you, this article highlights six key qualities that service industry experience brings to the workplace, offering further insight into its value. It's a great read, I hope you enjoy!
Pictured to the right is the staff at my current restaurant, Juanita Greenberg's. Locally owned and operated, this picture was taken during an employee appreciation trip, in which we rented a sunset cruise on Shem Creek.
Pictured is my college logo, The College of Charleston. Go cougs!
Being a First Generation College Student
Posted June 1st, 2024
Growing up, I never had a clear vision of where I would end up. While secondary education was always within my reach—thanks to my parents’ hard work to provide opportunities they never had—it still felt like uncharted territory. Between applications, tours, SATs, and deadlines, college seemed more like an obligation than an opportunity. It wasn’t my academic ability that held me back but rather the uncertainty of stepping into the unknown. Looking back, it was less about doubt in my potential and more about fear of the journey ahead.
That perspective changed during an unexpected conversation with my physical therapist while recovering from a rolled ankle. As we talked, he asked me a simple yet profound question: “Well, do you like to learn?” That question sparked a realization deep within me. Beneath all the doubts and hesitations, I craved the growth and exploration that only a university experience could provide. It helped me push past the challenges I faced in high school and embrace education as my true path.
Now, with just six months until graduation, I can say with confidence that I have no regrets about the decisions that brought me here. My time at the College of Charleston has allowed me to become a beacon of hope for my younger family members, guiding them in their own journeys toward higher education. I’ve become the resource I wish I’d had, and I’m proud of the life I’ve built in Charleston. It hasn’t been easy, but my determination and passion for learning have fueled every step of this journey, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
As a first-generation college student, my experience may not be unique, but it has shaped who I am. My background has given me a deep sense of empathy, allowing me to view others' situations through multiple perspectives. I was raised on the values of hard work and perseverance, and while my parents may not hold traditional degrees, the lessons they’ve instilled have been invaluable in helping me achieve my dreams. Their guidance has been the foundation of my journey, and for that, I am endlessly grateful.
Attached below is a PDF version of my educational narrative, a prompted essay I wrote during my freshman year at the College. While my writing style has certainly evolved since then, this essay—and the insightful feedback I received from my professor—was what initially sparked my interest in the study of communication.
Stand By: Growing up on the Standby List and my Experience within the International Youth Exchange
Posted April 10th, 2024
Throughout life, people are exposed to education in all forms; And in that, there are multiple types of learners: social, auditory, visual, and so on. I have found that I, personally, am a social learner. Learning through exposure, communication with others, and interpreting real world problems are all characteristics of what describes a social learner. I have found that I learn best in social interactions; peer discussion, cultural immersion, and empathetic expression help me dig deeper for solutions. Exploring a foreign country and learning through culture and experience has made me the woman I am today.
From visiting extended family in Minneapolis to traversing ancient ruins in Rome, travel has always been a prevalent part of my life. Since I was in diapers, some of my biggest and most important memories stemmed from travel. Being all over the world is something that has humbled me as a person and influenced my goals for the future. My mom dedicated her life to travel, working for various airline companies to support her passions. Although the pay may not have been great, I value the worldliness I gained from my mother’s career in the airline industry immensely.
When I was 15 years old, I participated in a foreign exchange initiative through a program designed for children of airline employees, which provided me the opportunity to travel to a foreign country and admire the culture through a host family. I traveled to Munich, Germany, where I fell in love with not only the culture of the city, but the history of this beautiful country. Although I was only there for a week, I learned more about German heritage, nationalism, history, and culture than any book or class could’ve ever taught me. Walking through the city of Munich, I learned about their economy, and how Germany had to build from the ground up after World War II. Being able to experience a foreign country with a local offered me an unconventional yet commendable adventure. I learned the struggles of the Jewish people, and I gained insight on how Germany was able to rebuild as a nation. Most importantly I discovered my love for foreign culture, which is a defining characteristic of who I am today.
Although I may not pursue a career in Germany, my love for travel and knowledge is undeniable. Traveling has shown me the perspectives of different cultures all around the world, something that has humbled me and pushed me towards my chosen career path. Providing aid in foreign countries has always been a dream of mine, not only sparked by my compassion for others, but my experiences with different cultures around the world. My travels to Germany have ignited my interest in social welfare in the United States, learning how different countries approach different issues. With future plans to use my Communications and Sociology degrees to create social and civic change, the once-in-a-lifetime experience I had in Germany shaped my desire to keep learning and keep dreaming, something that I have carried with me throughout my college career.
Below, I’ve included a link to the International Youth Exchange homepage. Here, you can explore more about this incredible program and discover the impact it has had on the lives of thousands of students.
Pictured here (From left to right) is my little sister,Dylan, me, and my host sister, Lilly. This photo was taken after my travels within the International Youth Exchange, where our families vacationed together in Rome.
Morgan Harder
B.A. Communication, B.S. Sociology
© Copyright. All rights reserved.
We need your consent to load the translations
We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.