Morgan Phillips

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT MORGAN PHILLIPS

I am a lifelong advocate for the transformative power of technical and community college education. Currently serving as the Interim President and CEO of Gateway Technical College, I am honored to lead America’s first publicly funded technical college into its next chapter of service to Southeastern Wisconsin.My mission is to ensure that every learner—regardless of their starting point—has access to industry-aligned, hands-on education that leads directly to economic mobility. At Gateway, we oversee a $160 million budget and over 70 academic programs that serve as the economic engine for Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth counties. I am particularly proud of our college’s $746.7 million annual impact on the local economy and our recent national recognition as a member of the FirstGen Forward Network for our commitment to first-generation students.Prior to joining Gateway, I spent several years in leadership at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona, most recently as the Vice Chancellor for Academic Excellence. My journey through higher education has been defined by a focus on innovation and partnership—from launching Arizona’s first Engineering Technologist program to establishing seamless transfer pathways with partner universities like Northern Arizona and UW-Parkside.My leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that education must be as flexible and resilient as the students it serves. This perspective is shaped by my own journey as a \"lifelong learner\"—having earned three associate degrees at different points in my career — and by my personal experience navigating profound hearing loss. The technological interventions that help me navigate the hearing world as a deaf person have not only been life-changing but have also deepened my commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to break down barriers for others.As an Aspen Presidential Fellow, I am dedicated to strengthening the regional workforce by fostering deep partnerships between education and industry. Whether we are expanding state-leading dual credit programs for high schoolers or developing cutting-edge mechatronics and automation labs, the goal remains the same: creating a win-win for our students, their families, and the vibrant communities of Southeastern Wisconsin.Let’s connect to discuss how we can strengthen the talent pipeline and economic prosperity of Southern Wisconsin or your region of the country.