Dr. Morris is an Assistant Professor and past Program Director for the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs. He earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Florida, after serving eight years in the Army and National Guard. Dr. Morris' research focuses on veteran and military student success, access to higher education, and advancing instructional outcomes. He teaches courses on program development, assessment, and measurement. Dr. Morris has published in journals such as Community College Review, Institutional Research Applications, and The Journal of American College Health. 

PhD, University of Florida, 2011
Major: Higher Education Administration
Supporting Areas of Emphasis: Research, Evaluation, and Methodology
Dissertation Title: Examining a Developmental Math Curriculum Redesign

MA, University of Florida, 2007
Major: Geography and GIS

BA, Concord University, 2003
Major: Political Science

Courses Taught at UCCS

LEAD 2700 Introduction to Social Science Research
LEAD 1600 Leading Teams and Organizations
LEAD 5310 Program Development and Evaluation
LEAD 5220 Program Evaluation for Educational Programs and Projects         
LEAD 5700 Introduction to Research and Statistics
LEAD 7000 Masters Research Lab
LEAD 8200 Assessment and Measurement                   
GPS 3010 Transitions, Veteran and Military Transition Course            
GPS 1010 Gateway Program Seminar                

Courses Taught at other institutions
Foundations of Geographic Information Systems                        
Introductory Physical Geography Lab

Morris, P., Barker, L., Monar, A. (2020). Utilizing the Social Ecological Framework to Enhance Wellness for Student Veterans. Journal of American College Health

Morris, P., Carpenter, D., Rodriguez, F. (2020). Mental Health Stigma Among First-Year Student Veterans. Journal of American College Health

Morris, P., Albanesi, H. P., Cassidy, S. (2019). Student-Veterans’ Perceptions of Barriers, Support, and Environment at a High-Density Veteran Enrollment Campus. Journal of Veteran Studies, 4(2), 180-202.

Morris, P., Gibbes, C., Jennings, S. A. (2018). An Examination of Student Veteran Education Pathways at an American University. Journal of Geography in Higher Education.

Mendez, S., Witkowsky, P., Morris, P, Brosseau, J. & Nicholson, H. (2018) Student Veteran Experiences in a Transition Seminar Course: Exploring the Thriving Transition Cycle. Journal of Veterans Studies. Vol. 3 (2).

Mendez, S., Witkowsky, P., Kumm, C., Ogunbowo, O., Morris, P. (2016). Comparing Military-Connected and Non-Military Connected Students’ Orientation Experiences. The Journal of College Orientation and Transition, 24(1), 78-84.

Morris, P., & Thrall, G. (2010). Using Geospatial Analysis to Address Institutional Objective: St. Petersburg College Geo-demographic Analysis. Institutional Research Applications, IR Apps 27, p. 1-16.

Campbell, D., Syed, S., Morris, P. (2010). Minding the Gap: Filling a Void in Community College Leadership Development. New Directions for Community College. no. 149,p. 33-39

McKinney, L., & Morris, P.  (2010). Examining an Evolution: Understanding the Organizational Change Accompanying the Community College Baccalaureate. Community College Review. Vol. 37 Issue 3, p. 187-208

Campbell, D.F., & Morris, P. (2009). 2009 Community College Futures Assembly Focus: Leading Change – Leading in and Uncertain Environment. Community College Journal of Research & Practice, Vol. 33 Issue 11, p 851-855.

2018 Garrett Swasey Outstanding Staff Award, UCCS

2017 Outstanding Graduate Award, University of Florida Institute for Higher Education

2016 CU President's Diversity Award - Unit Award, University of Colorado President's Office

2018            Diversity and Excellence Grant, University of Colorado – Understanding and Communicating Student Veterans' Strengths to Stakeholders across UCCS Communities, ($3000 awarded) Role: Co-PI 

2016            University of Colorado President’s Diversity Award. Unit award for UCCS Veteran and Military Student Affairs, ($2000 awarded) Role: Lead

2015            Anschutz Foundation Challenge Grant – Military and Veterans Pathways to Success (MVPS) Project, ($1,000,000 awarded) Role: Lead

2014            JP Morgan Chase & Bank – Building Resilient Student Veterans, ($165,000 awarded) Role: Lead

2014            Title III Strengthening Programs Grant, U.S. Department of Education – Gateways to Success, ($2,000,000 awarded)  Role: Co-PI

2014            Aurora Foundation Community Grant, Aurora Foundation – Enhancing Veteran Support: Transition Assistance and Education Outreach for Student-Veterans, ($5000 awarded) Role: Lead

2014            Diversity and Excellence Grant, University of Colorado – Creative Collaborations; Peer Mentoring as a Student Success Strategy for Student-Veterans, ($3000 awarded) Role: Lead

2013            UCCS Green Action Fund, University of Colorado Colorado Springs – ($3000) Role: Lead

2013            USAA Community Grant Program, USAA – Veteran Educators Training and Support Project, ($5000 awarded) Role: Lead

2011            National College Access Network Seminar Fellowship, Lumina Foundation, ($900 awarded) Role: Lead