Dr. Sandra Morgan: From Vanguard to the White House

Vanguard University professor Dr. Sandra L. Morgan has recently been appointed by President Trump as a member of the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking. This council will advise 15 federal agencies to equip America to best help victims of human trafficking and further prevent it.

Dr. Morgan was recently approached by  U.S Ambassador John Cotton Richmond to see if she would like to be added to the nomination list for this council.

According to whitehouse.gov, being a member of the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking entails a two-year term, and a total of nine people were selected. This is a cross-sector advisory council and involves conference calls, community work, and on-site meetings in Washington D.C at the White House. Most of the members on the council represent a range of non-profit organizations from across America.

Dr. Morgan works in both the Global Center for Women and Justice (GCWJ) and as a professor but nonetheless accepted the position. 

“I was told that this council would really benefit from my voice. This particular council is legislatively bipartisan and the responsibility is to advise the president’s fifteen federal agencies. This would be a way to improve the nation’s services to victims and prevention as well,” Dr. Morgan said. 

According to Dr. Morgan, she believes she was chosen for this responsibility due to her long-standing reputation. Dr. Morgan has experience in bringing interdisciplinary teams together from both the public and private sectors. This includes education, law enforcement, and community and church leaders.

According to Dr. Morgan, human trafficking is not a solitary issue. It is a symptom of a variety of underlying issues, ranging from adverse childhood experiences to poverty. Because of this, Dr. Morgan encourages people to speak up for others, which is a concept based in Proverbs 31:8.

“This verse says to be a voice for those who have no voice; ensure justice for those being crushed. The Hebrew word there is about making things right. The reason why people fall into trafficking and other forms of exploitation is that they were being crushed by poverty, political oppression, and patriarchal systems that treat women as second class citizens,” Dr. Morgan said.

According to Dr. Morgan, the passion for advocacy and justice is rooted in her background as a pediatric nurse. However, the catalyst for becoming an advocate for human trafficking came over 15 years ago when she and her husband lived in Greece as missionaries.

“I have always been an advocate for women who are experiencing violence, whether that be culturally, domestically, or as a criminal act. We started the Lydia Foundation in Greece and established a club with the same name at Vanguard when we returned to California,” Dr. Morgan said.

However, Dr. Morgan believes pure passion is not always enough when it comes to fighting injustice. 

“One must have the knowledge and preparation to make a difference. That’s why we try to create a measured experience during your time at Vanguard,” Dr. Morgan said.

Through her work on campus with organizations such as GCWJ and the club Live2Free, Morgan is able to advocate for women both on the national and local levels.