Jeff Morgan, UCF’s Director of Security and Emergency Management, has been selected as a “Director of the Year” finalist by Campus Safety Magazine.
Morgan joined UCF in 2008 and is the force behind UCF’s comprehensive emergency management program that has grown into a model for the State University System.
“I’m honored to have been nominated and selected as a finalist,” said Morgan. “It means a lot to me because it was my staff that nominated me, and knowing that they feel this way about me is rewarding in itself.”
Though UCF’s emergency management program has humble beginnings, it has grown into a robust operation that was expanded in November 2014 to manage the university’s card access and camera systems.
“The newly formed Office of Security Management is taking UCF to the next level when it comes to physical security,” Morgan said. “We are introducing new policies, procedures and technology to help enhance the safety and security of our UCF community.”
UCF’s Emergency Operations Center also was developed under Morgan’s leadership. The old office building was transformed into a state-of-the-art facility that is among the first of its kind for a Florida university.
In March 2015, the EOC served as a hub of activity during a regional full-scale mass casualty exercise that brought more than 60 agencies, 1,200 support personnel and 1,000 participants to UCF. The exercise was led by Morgan and his team, and it provided valuable training to first responders across Central Florida.
“UCF has been proactive when it comes to safety and security and that is what sets us apart,” Morgan said. “That mindset will continue to allow our students to learn, our researchers to do their work, and our faculty to teach in a safe environment.”
Morgan, who previously served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, also pays it forward as an adjunct professor. He teaches students in the Emergency Management and Homeland Security graduate certificate program, part of the College of Health and Public Affairs.
Morgan is also leading UCF in the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) process. EMAP is a university-wide, rigorous external peer-review of UCF’s organization, resources, plans and capabilities against 64 standards addressing best practices in emergency prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery. The process started in 2015 and is still underway.
Campus Safety Magazine will announce this year’s campus safety director of the year winner in July.
“Emergency Management has experienced incredible growth since Jeff joined UCF, and it’s no coincidence,” said UCF Police Chief Richard Beary. Jeff is a leader who is dedicated to thinking innovatively and building partnerships, and I am proud of him and his team for earning recognition from Campus Safety Magazine.”