Morgan Hall ’14 credits her all-in attitude and support from The University of Olivet faculty with her success as a media director. She’s also a wife and mother. It might not be easy to juggle all three, but Morgan is determined to pursue her passion for storytelling while taking her family along on the ride.
Morgan recalls watching the news with her parents and grandparents every morning before school and every evening before bed while she was growing up. It was then that she developed an interest in current events and a love of storytelling. When it came time to make her college selection, Morgan welcomed the chance to study communication at a community college before seeking bachelor’s degree programs in journalism.
“As a transfer student, I was accepted to both The University of Olivet and a larger college in Chicago to study journalism,” Morgan explained. “The promise and excitement of moving to a large city made the school in Chicago my initial front-runner, but after a few telephone conversations with Joanne Williams, associate professor of journalism and mass communication at OC, I completely changed my mind. Professor Williams took the time to make sure all my credits transferred, and in the process of doing so, she demonstrated how much she genuinely cares for her students. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made!”
Outside the classroom at OC, Morgan became involved with WOCR, the student-led radio station. Further, Morgan’s professors encouraged her to pursue internship opportunities that led to two paying jobs and a career before Morgan was even close to graduating.
“I have always had an all-in attitude, which helped me break into the world of media,” Morgan emphasized. “While attending The University of Olivet, I had great core journalism training, which equipped me with the quality writing skills and ethics that I am so proud to use today. With the foundation I developed in the classroom, I was able to land an internship at HOMTV-21 that helped build my technical skills. I worked an average of 60 unpaid hours a week during the summer of my junior year of college, learning how to write, shoot and edit news packages, while getting a chance to anchor and host news programs.
“At the same time, I had the opportunity to become a production assistant for the statewide radio program ‘Michigan’s Big Show.’ Three days a week, I would arrive at the studio at 4 a.m. to prepare the news of the day for the host, before heading back to HOMTV-21. It was by far the most professionally transformative time of my life. The best advice I could ever share with students is you don’t necessarily have to be the smartest, or most talented in your industry, but if you want to be successful, you do have to be the most passionate, dedicated and determined.”
Getting her foot in the door with “Michigan’s Big Show” helped Morgan take the next step in her career. She now serves the show’s producer, SPOTLIGHT Media, as the media director for the company’s five daily radio programs – including “Michigan’s Big Show.” Her transformation from intern to her current role still surprises Morgan, and she’s extremely thankful to be working her dream job day-to-day. In her role, Morgan creates, manages and oversees growth strategies, develops social media and digital marketing plans, leads staff members, books guests and suggests content, just to name a few.
In addition to loving her job, Morgan is also grateful to have a skill set that compliments her husband, Chris. Much like Morgan, Chris has a strong passion for storytelling and uses video production as his vehicle. Two years ago, Chris began Big Shot Video, a full-service video production company that focuses on content marketing. The couple’s two-year-old son, Jonah, is often a feature in Chris’s personal work and very comfortable behind the camera. The Hall family will be growing in 2018 as Morgan is expecting their second son.
“To me success means being able to do what I love, with the people I love most, every day,” Morgan said. “I want to use my passions to help empower others, while inspiring and making my family proud.”
Learn more about OC’s journalism and mass communication program so you, like Morgan, will earn an unrivaled education, study with supportive faculty and industry professionals, and develop the foundation for a successful career. Apply, schedule a visit, or contact the Office of Admissions at 800.456.7189 or admission@uolivet.edu.