Shaquinta Morgan, director of solution architecture at Signify Lighting End User Services, is UM’s 2018 Outstanding Young Alumni Award recipient. Submitted photo
Shaquinta Morgan (BE 03) has received the University of Mississippi’s 2018 Outstanding Young Alumni Award for her career achievements and civic contributions.
Morgan, who is director of solution architecture for the United States at Signify (formerly known as Philips Lighting) End User Services, was presented the honor during annual UM homecoming weekend activities on Oct. 5-6. Created in 2001 by the Ole Miss Alumni Association, the award honors graduates who have shown exemplary leadership throughout their first 15 years of alumni status in both their careers and dedication to the university.
“The Outstanding Alumni Award has meant the most to me because people from all aspects of my life wrote letters of recommendation in support of my nomination,” said Morgan, who serves on the advisory board to the School of Engineering. “Because of the affirmation received from my family, friends, professional colleagues and mentors, this honor is truly humbling.”
A native of Tunica, Morgan later moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where she graduated from high school. She decided to attend the university following talks she had with two Ole Miss engineering professors.
“My father and aunt both graduated from the university,” she said. “I had spent a lot of time on campus throughout my childhood. It was a familiar place for me, so I had always considered it a place I might attend college. However, conversations with Dr. Clint Williford and Ron Privett really encouraged me to come and helped finalize my decision.”
Morgan remembers Charles E. Smith and Randel Price as being among her favorite engineering professors.
“They were both excellent at simplifying content and making their classes enjoyable and engaging,” she said.
After graduation, Morgan moved to Washington, D.C., with dreams of working for the Environmental Protection Agency. Following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, she redirected her talents to serve others in need through Catholic Charities. Eventually, Morgan began her engineering career at a small water efficiency firm. She then went on to expand her engineering expertise to all aspects of energy management with companies such as NORESCO and Johnson Controls.
A licensed professional engineer with a mechanical engineering emphasis, Morgan is also a certified energy manager and a LEED-accredited professional. She joined the Philips Lighting End User Services team in January 2015. Her team designs complex lighting controls and data solutions for government, office and industry, retail and hospitality, and sports and entertainment clients across the country.
Active in her community and local schools, Morgan serves on the boards of directors of Christmas Charities Year Round, the Connections Council to Huntsville Hospital and the Madison City Schools Growth Committee.
She and her husband, Markeeva Morgan (BSEE 01), reside in Madison, Alabama, with their two daughters, Mallory and Sydney.