Karissa Morgan. Courtesy photo
FLAGSTAFF — After a competitive national recruitment, the City of Flagstaff and Northern Arizona University have selected Karissa Morgan as the Assistant Director for Off Campus Life and Community Liaison Programs. Karissa currently works for Arizona State University as a Senior Coordinator of New Student Programs and previously served as Community Director. She will begin her role on October 3, 2016.
The Assistant Director for Off Campus Life and Community Liaison Programs, also known as the Neighborhood Liaison, will help foster relationships in the Flagstaff community at the neighborhood level. The liaison will work directly with residents, students and neighborhood associations and provide additional opportunities for additional collaboration between NAU and the City. The position is jointly funded by NAU and the City of Flagstaff and will report to the NAU Dean of Students and the City Manager’s Office.
Karissa Morgan is looking forward to joining the Flagstaff and Northern Arizona University community. “I am thrilled to have been selected to take on this new role, where so much of what I will be doing is dependent upon building meaningful relationships with students and long-term residents alike. I look forward to working towards a community where all feel welcomed, valued, and we can all have pride in calling Flagstaff our home,” Morgan stated.
Mayor Jerry Nabours expresses enthusiasm for the new initiative, “The City is excited and grateful to partner with NAU on this important position. The position will allow us to do more to collaborate on building community at the neighborhood level.”
NAU President Rita Cheng acknowledges that the position is one of many important changes the university is making to help reinforce NAU’s commitment to the community. “Hiring Karissa Morgan as our neighborhood liaison provides a significant step forward to building stronger relationships between NAU and those who live and work near our campus,” Cheng stated.
The finalists for the position participated in a rigorous interview process which included an interview with NAU and City staff, students, neighborhood and community stakeholders and a pubic meet and greet with the community.
Karissa Morgan holds a M.Ed. in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Texas State University. She holds two B.S. degrees in Hospitality Tourism Management with an Event Planning focus and a degree in Advertising/Public Relations.