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“Initially, when I came to Morris, I was just absolutely undoubtedly impressed – blown away with what I saw, because I came expecting to see one thing, and there was something completely different,” he said. “There was an image of the college that was unsavory, but by the time I arrived in 1993, that was no longer the case. I saw an institution that was really thriving.” Dr. Staggers was also attracted to the strong leadership of the late Morris College President Luns C. Richardson. When Dr. Staggers became president of Morris College six years ago, his goals were to add to the stability of the college, expand the range and number of academic programs, upgrade the institution’s technology, increase the fundraising apparatus to improve the institution of development and advancement, increase enrollment, and solidify the Morris College brand.
Morris College instituted a service- learning program to instill in students the importance of service and giving back to others. Dr. Staggers leads by example, serving his community in several ways such as, being a lifelong member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., an active member of his local rotary club, and a chairman of the Board of School at his church.
One of the major challenges HBCUs face is fundraising. Dr. Staggers encourages those who support HBCUs to give as generously as they possibly can. Dr. Staggers’ most rewarding part of being president of Morris College is interacting with students and listening to their questions or concerns. “Students are constantly shifting and changing and bringing new dynamics with them. I make time to talk – if I’m going to the dining hall, invariably, I sit with them. I stop when they need to ask me something, giving them my attention for those few moments. That type of interaction with the students is beyond the doubt, the most rewarding part of my entire career,” he said.
“An integral part of a person’s education is to understand the
dimension of service above self. We should always be concerned about helping and assisting other people. Without service, a life is not well lived and is incomplete,” Dr. Staggers said. Dr. Staggers advises any student that is considering attending an HBCU that ‘an HBCU is probably the best bet.’ “The HBCUs do something that none of the other, many thousands of colleges and universities in the country do, and that’s engender that self-confidence, which is key to be successful and especially to be leaders in the communities and the states and in the country,” he said.
This year, the college unveiled its new state-of-the-art esports lab.
An alum of Morris College also committed to covering the cost of the full four-year education for 30 students, totaling an investment of $2.8 million. dollars.
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