Psychology Researcher
& Social Equity Advocate
Exploring the intersections of identity, inclusion, and well-being with a mission to understand human belonging.
Introduction
Hi! My name is Morgan McDonald. I was born in Houston, Texas, but I grew up in southern Florida. My heritage is a blend of Black and Puerto Rican cultures, a fusion that I cherish deeply. However, growing up in a community that lacked diversity often left me questioning my identity. As a first-generation graduate student, my educational journey complicated this question. Still, it fostered a sense of solidarity among students who struggle in academic institutions with unequal representation. These experiences have significantly influenced my research and advocacy work today.
Although I have a wide range of interests, I am particularly fascinated by the individual and internal experiences of minorities. I'm also interested in how these experiences can be impacted and improved at a structural level—not through empty promises of diversity, equity, and inclusion, but through scientifically supported interventions. To me, change should not merely be a buzzword. It should be a science.
A Snapshot of My Experience
MERCY UNIVERSITY
RICE UNIVERSITY
Explored bias confrontation and forgiveness in sustaining inequality, collaborating on meta-analyses that shaped workplace inclusion strategies.
Led recruitment initiatives for diverse student talent; outreach that increased representation and promoted educational equity.
GAOTEK INC.
Dedicated 1,000+ hours to disaster relief, volunteer recruitment, and grant proposals, supporting underserved communities.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY
Peer Mentor
My Research Interests
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
Uncovering evidence-based practices that make diversity a functional, not just performative, part of every organization.
Colorism
Investigating the relationship between skin tone and self-esteem and how both dark and light skin tones lead to diverging experiences that are predicated on racist ideas of authenticity.
Social Identity & Belonging
Exploring the powerful ways our identities shape how we connect, contribute, and thrive in professional, educational, and social settings.
Bias Intervention
Pinpointing where and how biases—especially those around race and gender—disrupt the community, and developing practical ways to reduce them.
Service
Acts of kindness are integral to social harmony and can enormously impact community and individual well-being. I live by a set of moral principles that play a vital role in pursuing social justice. I view service not as something I do in my free time to “help out” but as an extension of my life purpose. I volunteered for over two years for Helping Hands for Puerto Rico and was able to make significant tangible impacts on the organization and its beneficiaries.
Curious, Driven, and Ready for What's Next
I’m committed to uncovering how identity shapes social dynamics and prepared to bring this focus to my PhD and beyond. Please get in touch if you think I’m the right fit.