小蝌蚪APP

Morrissette Named Campus to Career Coordinator

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Posted on June 14, 2021

Thomas Becnel

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#MyFirstJob is a series focused on 小蝌蚪APP graduates who are beginning their careers.

Broderick Morrissette, the new Campus to Career coordinator for the University of South Alabama Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, just spent six years at USA earning bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees.

He took classes every fall, spring and summer semester.

鈥淚t鈥檚 funny, I鈥檝e been in school since the summer of 2015 鈥� no breaks,鈥� he said. 鈥淥nce I have a goal in mind, it鈥檚 kind of tunnel vision.鈥�

Even before college, the Prichard native spent his summers at South. While enrolled at Vigor High School, he joined the Upward Bound program.

Students took classes on campus. They lived in residence halls, ate in the cafeteria and played at the Student Rec Center. They made field trips to cities such as New Orleans and Washington, D.C.

鈥淭he whole experience was nothing short of amazing,鈥� said Morrisette, 24. 鈥淭he background I had growing up, we didn鈥檛 get to see what college was like. That program made college seem real and attainable.鈥�

At South, he earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in information technology. Then he earned a master鈥檚 degree in education with a concentration in higher education administration.

As a graduate student, he was an assistant to Dr. Paul Frazier, South鈥檚 chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer. Morrissette helped start the program. Frazier became a mentor.

鈥淗e internalizes what I need,鈥� Morrissette said. 鈥淗e puts opportunities there for me before I even know what I need.鈥�

After completing his master鈥檚 degree, Morrissette thought about moving to another job 鈥� or another university 鈥� to broaden his experience. Instead, he chose to stay at South.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to get to work,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 was touched that he鈥檇 think of me for a program of this magnitude. And I like the idea of making something happen in Mobile.鈥�

Morrissette may work out the University administration building, but he hasn鈥檛 adopted Frazier鈥檚 suits or colorful bow ties. He still dresses like a graduate student. This is by design.

鈥淎 suit can be a little intimidating,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 want to maintain a level of approachability with students. I do a polo shirt and slacks most of the time.鈥�

In the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, his supervisor is now a colleague, but it鈥檚 not like they鈥檙e on a first-name basis.

鈥淚t鈥檚 still 鈥楧r. Frazier,鈥欌�� Morrissette said, laughing. 鈥淚 might call him Paul sometime. I鈥檓 still adjusting.鈥�

Highlights and Anime

Broderick was raised by his mother, LeTisha Morrisette, and his grandmother, Sharron Morrissette.

He was always a reader. He remembers paging through the encyclopedia and waiting for the latest issue of Highlights magazine. In school, he qualified for a gifted program called PACE 鈥� Pursuing Academics, Creativity and Excellence.

Later, in 8th grade, he started misbehaving in school.

鈥淢y grandmother gave it to me straight,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he said, 鈥楤roderick, this is not you. We have expectations for you.鈥� So I got my act together.鈥�

In high school, he wanted to get a part-time job. His mother insisted that he focus on his studies. He made good grades and participated in several clubs and student organizations.

Morrissette became a fan of anime. He enjoyed the artwork and detailed characters. His favorite figure from a graphic novel was the young ninja named Naruto.

鈥淗e was always the underdog,鈥� he said. 鈥淗e found a way to persevere through everything.鈥�

Just after he began graduate school, Morrissette鈥檚 grandmother died. Near the end of his program, his mother passed away. He thought of them when he received his diploma.

鈥淭hey were the ones who pushed me in school,鈥� he said. 鈥淓arly on, they saw I had the aptitude and big ambitions.鈥�

Becoming a Mentor

As a student at South, Morrissette was involved with the First Year Council and the Student Government Association. He joined the National Honor Society, National Society for Black Engineers and Collegiate 100, the student organization that鈥檚 part of 100 Black Men of America. After graduation, he became part of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Many people guided his career along the way.

Now, as Campus to Career coordinator, Morrissette will help students work toward graduation. The diversity office has had more than 300 applicants for 24 new scholarships.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 good, because it demonstrates a need for the program,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ut administratively, it鈥檚 going to take some time.鈥�

He likes the idea of starting something at South. He鈥檚 working with partners such as the Center for Academic Success. Goals for the program include building support networks and raising retention rates.

鈥淭he main objective is to look at the gap between opportunities and outcomes,鈥� he said. 鈥淗ow do we fill these gaps? How do we give people what they need? The success of a university is measured by its least advantaged students.鈥�

As a graduate assistant, he began giving out his cell number to students. The response was good. Maybe too good.

鈥淥nce they trust you, it鈥檚 game on,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey will call you, they will find you, and I鈥檓 fine with that.鈥�

Morrissette is studying the basics of mentoring and what it takes to become an effective leader. He learned from his own experience at South. He knows where to begin.

鈥淎lways lead with empathy,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey say, 鈥楶eople don鈥檛 care what you know until they know how much you care,鈥� and I think that鈥檚 true. That鈥檚 my guiding principle.鈥�

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