An Academic Advisor for ‘Life’ at Her Alma Mater: Latarsha Morgan ’00, ’14

For over 17 years, Latarsha Morgan ’00, ’14, has served as an advisor for students in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. She specializes in advising freshman and sophomore pre-health track students with majors such as biology, neuroscience, psychology, chemistry, exercise science and health science. In addition, Morgan also works with Florida Atlantic University High School students and incoming dual enrollment students with over 45 credits earned.

“I love advising. For me, my job is incredibly rewarding because, in my own way, I am impacting the future of health care,” shared Morgan. “It is also gratifying because I get to watch my students grow. I start working with students their freshman year, and I enjoy seeing them soar and sometimes learn to overcome challenges along the way.”

Morgan feels that one of the biggest challenges many freshmen face is the transition from high school to college. But for students who are learning to acclimate to college life and are interested in pursuing health-related graduate and professional programs, learning how to prepare for such competitive schools adds another level of difficulty.

“Florida Atlantic has many resources available to help students prepare for careers in the health professions,” stated Morgan. “The Pre-Health Professions Office, Center for Student Success, student organizations, College of Science Advising Office and many other offices through the university are ready to assist students as they navigate their academic journeys.”

The Pre-Health Professions Office within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science offers several courses to help students understand how to prepare for health-related graduate programs. In addition, the college offers two courses that connect students with research and shadowing opportunities.

“In addition to regular check-ins throughout their undergraduate years, we offer numerous activities to keep students on track,” noted Morgan. “I am also very proud of the Pre-Health teams’ work to help our students succeed.”

Morgan is a seasoned Owl herself. The two-time Florida Atlantic University alumna graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree in 2014.

As a profession, Morgan strongly believes that advising chose her. Her first experience assisting students came as an undergraduate, when she took a job as a student assistant in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she worked full-time at Florida Atlantic as an admissions representative.

Morgan took a chance and applied for an advising position at Palm Beach State College, and she was pleasantly surprised when she was offered the job. She moved on to advise students at Kaplan University for several years, before she returned to Florida Atlantic. She has every intention of staying put and advising future generations of Owls for the foreseeable future.

“Florida Atlantic feels like home,” noted Morgan. “There are so many great people that I know and work with that I do not see myself anywhere else. I like to call myself a lifer―meaning I want to stay at Florida Atlantic until I retire.”