Morgan Zepp B.A., English; B.A., Global Studies
Minor: Spanish and Writing
Magna Cum Laude
Hometown: Catonsville, Maryland
Plans: Fulbright English Teaching Assistant, Lithuania
UMBC has given me tremendous opportunity to explore my own values and take the initiative to help my community. I have felt like I am able to make change, be valuable, and commit myself to hands-on action, but I have also been given access to an amazing education.
Morgan Zepp grew up in Catonsville, just down the street from UMBC, but she wasn’t always sure UMBC would be the place where she would thrive. Now, as she is ready to receive her degree, she reflects, “Every day I am grateful I came here.”
Once she stepped onto campus four years ago, Zepp immediately got to work. She excelled in UMBC’s Honors College and took on two majors: English and global studies. She entered the university as a Humanities Scholar, and became a writing tutor and writing fellow, as well as editor of Bartleby, UMBC’s creative arts journal for students. Jessica Berman, director of the Dresher Center for the Humanities and professor of English, shares, “I think she incorporates all of best qualities of UMBC students and is someone we’d want to honor.”
Perhaps the largest responsibility Zepp has taken on is serving as president of UMBC’s Reach Initiative, launched by fellow UMBC student Isabel Geisler ‘17, global studies. The Reach Initiative offers support to high school girls who are interested in STEM, informing them about available opportunities, connecting them with research experiences, and linking them with supportive mentors. Zepp was recognized for her service, leadership, and work to achieve meaningful change through a France-Merrick Scholarship.
While firmly grounded in supporting communities in the Baltimore region, Zepp also has a keen interest in learning about the world, which led her to study abroad in Cuzco, Peru for a semester. Next, she will travel to Lithuania to teach English as a Fulbright Scholar.
Portrait by Marlayna Demond ‘11 for UMBC.
Tags: CAHSS, English, GlobalStudies, HonorsCollege, HumanitiesScholars, MLLI
