Washington State Representative Melanie Morgan ’95 advocates for every voice

Long before Melanie Morgan ’95 entered public office, she was already serving others. At 16 years old, she volunteered with the Red Cross while living overseas, an experience that sparked her lifelong passion for public service. That commitment has carried her through military service, leadership on the Franklin Pierce School Board, and now, into the Washington State House of Representatives, where she represents the 29th Legislative District as a Democrat. 

Her pursuit of higher education was not linear. After starting college at 17, her studies were paused by her decision to serve in the U.S. Army. When she returned, she picked up where she left off at Saint Martin’s University’s program at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). She pursued a degree in psychology with a minor in religious studies, supported by instructors who modeled the leadership principles that still guide her today. 

“I had great instructors at JBLM that I still remember,” Morgan says. “Psychology is a lot about listening, and that’s a foundational leadership skill.” It’s a lesson she’s carried with her throughout her career: listen deeply, lead with integrity and center the voices of those you serve. 

That commitment is clear in her work at the state level. “I already represented my community at a local level,” she says. “Now as an elected representative at the state level, it isn’t just about impacting my community anymore but impacting all communities across Washington.”

In her role as a legislator, Morgan also empowers others to find their voice. Constituents who visit her office often leave with more than just an answer to a policy question. “People come in to ask for support on a bill or funding, but they also leave with information about how to navigate the political process,” she says. “That is the experience I want people to have—how to self-advocate.” 

Her advice to students and alumni of Saint Martin’s is both practical and powerful: participate. “It’s important that every American be registered to vote,” she says. “Engage your community and stand up for those who cannot speak out or cannot vote. That is how we ensure the pathway is clear and free, just as it is promised in our Constitution.”

Representative Melanie Morgan’s leadership is rooted in empathy and driven by action. From her earliest volunteer days to her current work shaping policy across Washington State, she exemplifies the values of faith, reason, service and community that Saint Martin’s strives to instill in every graduate. 

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