Q&A with IAH Advisory Board Member Reyna Walters-Morgan
October 31, 2024 | Gina Moser
Since her time as an undergraduate at Carolina, IAH advisory board member Reyna Walters-Morgan (B.A. ’99, political science) has spent years protecting the right to vote.
Today, Walters-Morgan is a presidential appointee at the U.S. Department of Justice. Prior to her work at the DOJ, Walters-Morgan has worked at the Democratic National Committee and in private practice at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and more. Her continued passion of protecting the right to vote led her to start her own law practice and manage the 2018 Election Protection program for nonprofit organizations in North Carolina.
In addition to her involvement with the IAH advisory board, Walters-Morgan is a former chair of the UNC Board of Visitors, a former member and chair of the Alumni Committee on Racial & Ethnic Diversity (ACRED), and former member of the Campaign for Carolina Diversity Strategy Committee. Walters-Morgan received a J.D. from Howard University School of Law.
Q: You studied political science and were involved with student government during your time at UNC. What was one of the most impactful moments for you during those four years that influenced your career decisions?
A: I am very fortunate that I can pinpoint the most impactful moment that determined the trajectory of my life and my career. During my senior year, I was the second woman and the first person of color to serve as Student Body President. As an ex officio member of the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees, I offered guidance, feedback and perspective on all matters concerning the University and, most importantly, its students.
Early in my one-year term, I met with Walter Davis, a major benefactor and trustee of the University, as well as the Davis Library namesake. He asked me what my priorities were going to be in my administrative term. I shared with him that I was very passionate about and had done a lot of past work with voter registration. He then asked me two questions: One, “did you know that the UNC campus is divided into about five precincts and that there is no one place where all students can go and vote?” And two, “what are you going to do about it?”
I thought about what I would do to help enfranchise students and what that process would look like logistically. I met with state senators, including Ellie Kinnaird, to discuss what it would take. This was beyond simply writing a letter – this was about changing the law. Legislation needed to be introduced that would allow voting access for students. The project surpassed my one-year term and was passed to my successors who continued the work. Three years later, I attended a ribbon cutting ceremony for the first satellite polling location within walking distance of campus. From then on, my life and my career has been centered around voting rights advocacy.
Q: What was your student experience like at Carolina? How do you hope the university can foster belonging for all students and faculty?
A: I had a great experience overall, but there were a lot of ups and downs. When you are the first in anything, there are a lot of ensuing challenges. As the first African American female Student Body President, I had to grow some thick skin.
I believe the university can have clear and honest conversations with students and understand that administration and students may not always agree on the best way to resolve a problem. Luckily, I was able to have these kinds of thoughtful conversations with administrators. I worked closely with Chancellor [Michael] Hooker and he was amazing at asking great inquisitive questions. He was never afraid to ask the tough questions to get what he needed to know to make informed decisions. Open and honest conversations are crucial.
Q: What advice would you give to UNC students?
A: Up until my junior year at Carolina, I thought I had my life planned out – that I was going to go to law school. I was exposed to so many things during my time at Carolina that during my senior year, I started to question if this path was the one I wanted to be on. I woke up that year and realized I was completely burnt out and could not fathom the idea of opening another book. I ended up not applying to law school and, instead, got my first job with the North Carolina Legislature, which gave me the hands-on experience I needed. I eventually went to law school four years later.
Q: What are you excited for in your second year as an advisory board member?
A: I am looking forward to sharing information about what the IAH does with alumni and friends. It feels like I spent the year figuring out how things work, but one of the most rewarding experiences so far was hosting a salon event at my home in DC. It was amazing to bring in faculty members, staff, and alumni together into one place.
After, one alumnus told me after that he really enjoys the basketball watch parties, but “there is nothing like having an intellectual experience full of thought-provoking conversation.” Alumni don’t often have the opportunity to do that. Knowing that we were able to provide that experience and that it was meaningful is something we can do more of and I can’t wait to discover other ways we can work to engage alumni.
Q: Why do you feel it is important to support the Institute for the Arts and Humanities?
A: Faculty make such an incredible difference at Carolina and, even in my own experience as a student, I can think of a few professors that helped me grow as a person and as an intellectual. They challenged me, helped me, and inspired me. It is so important to keep our talented faculty that provide students with the kind of experience I had. We must continue the important work the IAH is doing.
Interview by Gina Moser.
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