Interviewer: Hey guys! My name is Keitanya Klien, one of the writing coordinators for THE HerCampus Savannah State, and with me is my right hand, the lovely Morgan Croff. Morgan is the Head Writing Coordinator for HerCampus Savannah State Hi Morgan!
Morgan: Hi Keitanya!
Keitanya: My first question is what is your name and where are you from?
Morgan: My name is Morgan Croff and I was born in Atlanta Georgia and raised in a nearby suburb. Very briefly when I was a baby, I lived in Mississippi but this was very briefly.
Keitanya: Girl same! What do you like most about Atalnta?
Morgan: I love the city! Atlanta is a big city and there’s just so many things to do. There are also a lot of well off black people in the Atlanta area and that’s good to see. But like I said I love the city in general. Atlanta is everything right now. It has gotten so popular over the years.
Keitanya: I totally agree, Atlanta is beautiful! So you are from Atlanta, so I’m curious as to why you chose Savannah State?
Morgan: Well, my first choice and absolute dream school was Spelman College. I am still so in love with that school. (laughs). My mother went to Spelman right after she graduated high school so she introduced me to that school when I was really young. She also introduced me to HBCUs in general. However the price of Spelman was a little too much for my liking (laughs). So then I thought about Georgia Southern. I was really set on Georgia Southern honestly. I was set on going there until Beyonce dropped her HBCU themed Coachella performance on Netflix and I said nope (laughs) I want to go to an HBCU. Savannah State is close by GSU so…I just chose SSU. My high school principal who I had a great relationship with is a SSU alum so he encouraged me. I know this is a crazy story but it is the honest truth.
Keitanya: (laughs) No way! I love that! One thing you do not play about is Beyonce (laughs)
Morgan: Yeah so! That’s how I ended up at SSU. Girl… you know I love Bey!
Keitanya: My next question is, what do you enjoy most about attending an HBCU?
Morgan:I love that there is a heightened sense of blackness. We’re surrounded by people that look like us that are doing big things. You have to support the institutions that always wanted you in the door. There’s a certain vibe at HBCUs that you can’t find anywhere else and there’s also such a sense of comfort. Your own people are rooting for you and it’s an unmatched experience. People used to say “I do not want to go to a HBCU because its not diverse” Diversity truly goes beyond just the color of your skin. I love attending a HBCU and I could not see myself at any other type of institution.
Keitanya: I agree 100%. Especially here. There’s nothing like a Dress For Success Wednesday in the cafe!
Morgan: Exactly! You already know! Everybody always looks so cute
Keitanya: What is your major and what do you plan on doing with your degree?
Morgan: So my major is English. At first it was Journalism/Mass Comm and I actually had a prestigious summer program with CNN that motivated me to pursue this major. My dad plays the news every single night and I knew I wanted to work for the news. (laughs). I then was very much interested in family law..But girl all this changed..
Keitanya: OKAY PERIOD! Don’t play!
(Morgan laughs)
Morgan: Yeah until later I realized that I had a passion for the education system and fixing the education system. My mother used to always tell me that I would make a good educator because I am patient and kind. I guess mothers know best(laughs). But seriously, I am passionate about the education system and changing the disparities between schools in low income areas and schools in high income areas. Education should be a top priority for every child regardless of how much their parents make. I want to advocate about this issue. So basically with my degree I want to teach and then eventually become a principal and my final goal is to work on a school board. I have a passion for helping others so education is the best career choice to help.
Keitanya: Yes we need more black educators!
Morgan: Exactly! That will be me one day!
Keitanya: Yes ma’am. So when did you start writing?
Morgan: I started writing in Elementary school. My teachers would all say that I was an above average reader and writer. I started out writing songs and stories when I was really young. I did not write for leisure until I became older.
Keitanya: I feel like so many writers can relate.So how do you want readers to feel after reading your work?
Morgan: If it’s informative I want readers to feel knowledgeable. I want to be able to teach them something after reading my work. I am a firm believer that you learn something new everyday so.. I want them to learn something new from my work. If I’m writing something like an opinion piece on anything, whether it be a show or relationships I want my readers to feel connected and say ‘hey i can relate to this”. And feel like someone is with them or in their corner.
Keitanya: I totally get that. My next question is how would your family and friends describe you?
Morgan: My friends and family all say the same things about me, usually saying that I’m very nice, caring and supportive.
Keitanya: I agree because I always say ‘Oh my gosh Morgan is literally so sweet!”. I have not known you for that long but you are such a sweet angel.(laughs)
Morgan: (laughs) Aw thank you. Yeah they basically say I am nice and calm. I guess its an aquarius thing.
Keitanya: Are you close with your family?
Morgan: Yes! I love my family. I have the best family. My parents raised my sisters and I very well. I am so blessed to have a great relationship with them. Mommy if you are reading this I love you deep. (laughs)
Keitanya: That is so cute! I can tell how much they mean to you
Keitanya: Alright so my next question is what is a quote you live by?
Morgan: I have a couple, one being a quote by Nikki Giovanni. Nikki Giovanni is my all time favorite poet. I love her so much. If i met her today I would cry. Her quote that states, “If you don’t understand yourself you don’t understand anybody else” because i think that knowing yourself and who you are is so important. You cannot try to figure out others if you are not happy with yourself… You came into this life by yourself and you will leave by yourself. Another quote I live by is “Change is inevitable”. Change is bound to happen.. look at Covid chile (laughs). A last quote that I love which is from Mulan, “The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of them all”. That quote just means that there is beauty after struggle.
Keitanya: Absolutely right. My last question for you is where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Morgan: Ok in 10 years i’ll be 30, I’d say that I want to be married with a child or two… maybe i don’t know we’ll see. I want a very nice man looking man chile (laughs). I want to still be teaching and still helping kids. I want to travel and teach kids the english language oversees. I want to be living in Atlanta or New York City. I have so many dreams and goals.. But I know my true aspiration is to just be happy… Yeah.. I just want to be happy.
Keitanya: Period! It’s already yours sis! Thank you so much for talking with me today Morgan it has been a blast getting to know you!
Morgan: No problem, you as well and thank you for having me!
The 2020-2021 HerCampus Savannah Writing Coordinator, Morgan Croff. This is HerStory!