Morris to lead veteran and military student services at UCCS

Phillip Morris

Phillip Morris, currently the project director for University of Colorado Colorado Springs-based SoColo Reach, will lead the Office of Veteran and Military Student Affairs. Morris was selected following a national search.

“Phillip’s combination of experiences, including service as a member of the U.S. Army and the Army National Guard, will benefit UCCS students,” said Brad Bayer, executive director of Student Life and Leadership. “I know he will work diligently to ensure that students, and their families, receive the benefits and the support their service has earned them.”

Since 2011, Morris has served as project director for SoColo Reach, a UCCS-based project designed to encourage southern Colorado youth to enroll in either a two-year college or four-year university in the region. He also worked as a veteran and military student orientation coordinator and taught a statistics and research methods course in the College of Education.

Previously, Morris was an alumni research fellow, program coordinator, training coordinator and assistant lecturer at the University of Florida, Gainesville. He served for five years as a paralegal specialist for the West Virginia Army National Guard and completed three years of active duty in the U.S. Army where he was an ammunition specialist and driver.

Morris earned a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Florida, a master’s in geography from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Concord University, Athens, W. Va.

“I am honored to fill this important position for UCCS,” Morris said. “My aim is to continue to effectively and efficiently provide financial and academic benefits to eligible students, and seek out new opportunities and experiences that will help these students find success beyond service to our country.”

Morris replaces Lee Ingalls Noble who was named interim director of the Office of Veteran and Military Student Affairs in February. Noble, who retired in 2009 after 31 years in the Office of Student Financial Aid, plans to re-enter retirement after assisting with transition duties within the office.