Ken Morris, Jr

Ken Morris, Jr., CDE®, IDI®-QA, serves as the Executive Director of Family & Community Engagement at Ankeny Community School District. He has extensive experience in PK-12 and higher education, including roles as Diversity Resources Coordinator at the University of Iowa, Manager of Student Equity in the Cedar Rapids Community School District, and Director of Intercultural Life at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Ken is a certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor and is currently doctoral candidate in Education at Drake University. 

Special skills:
I have strong skills in educational leadership, program development, and organizational management, particularly in promoting inclusion and addressing systemic disparities. I also excel at creating strategic frameworks and facilitating impactful professional learning sessions for educators. Additionally, I have expertise in community engagement, intercultural development, and youth mental health first aid.

Areas of study:
My primary areas of study are educational leadership, with a focus on inclusion, systemic equity, and cultural competence in PK-12 schools and Higher Education. I’m particularly interested in the experiences of equity-oriented educational leaders and the challenges they face, as well as how educational systems can better support marginalized communities.

Hobbies: 
I'm a low-key foodie who enjoys exploring new cuisines. I love attending cultural events, visiting arcades, and going to comic book conventions (and collecting comics). I also enjoy watching movies, cruising, and drawing when I find the time.

Favorite part of MVP:
My favorite part of the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) program is seeing how students develop into leaders who take ownership of creating safer, more inclusive environments in their schools. Watching students gain confidence, build skills, and become advocates for positive change is truly rewarding.