Presenter Bio - Morgan Merkel

Morgan Merkel serves as the Director of Subject Tutoring and Learning Support and Associate Director of the Higgins Academic Center at Randolph-Macon College.

As Director of Subject Tutoring and Learning Support and Associate Director of the Higgins Academic Center at Randolph-Macon College, Director Merkel is dedicated to fostering academic excellence through peer-led support programs. Her responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle of Tutor and Peer Academic Coach management, from recruitment and training to evaluation and professional development. She leads a team of over 80 student leaders, ensuring they are equipped with the skills to support diverse student populations, including those with learning disabilities and those facing academic challenges. Her expertise lies in implementing evidence-based practices, such as universal design and metacognitive strategies, and in building strong collaborative relationships with faculty and campus partners. Utilizing data analytics, she consistently evaluates program effectiveness and strives to enhance student engagement through innovative outreach and communication strategies. In addition to her professional endeavors, she is a doctoral student at William & Mary and enjoys running and finding the occasional quiet corner in the chaos that is life with three sons.