Meet the NDoA: Atisha Morrison

NDoA Atisha Morrison and fiance, Jackson

I am honored to kick off the National Board of Directors’ spotlights and share a little bit about myself!

My history with Alpha Sigma Kappa

started at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado as a Founder of the Theta Chapter. Little did I know back then how much of an impact this Organization would have on me as a professional and a person. I have a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health and just recently completed my Master’s in Public Health at the Colorado School of Public Health in Denver, Colorado. Recently, I have relocated to Austin, Texas and work as a Foodborne Epidemiologist. My role consists of working with local, regional, and our CDC partners to solve outbreaks of the more common foodborne illness pathogens.

My favorite ΑΣΚ memory

will always be recruitment and attending Installations. Watching women get excited about our Organization and commit themselves to our mission and vision makes me cry every time. This is one reason that led me to be on the National Board of Directors and now as the National Director of Administration:

I believe in all of the women who are in this Organization, the potential we have to grow. We have so much talent and passion among our Sisters and I feel that we can harness that even more than we already are.

My top priority over the next year

is to conduct our first ΑΣΚ Census, as well as to start creating more support and resources for all of our Interest Groups, Colonies, Chapters, and National Board members. We cannot do our jobs effectively without all of the people who step up to volunteer time and time again and we want to ensure that all of the people who are within this Organization know the opportunities and connections that are available to them.

My best advice for anyone starting out in this Organization is to get involved.

Make your Colony or Chapter what you want it to be. Make that social event or philanthropy event what you want it to be. Experiences like Alpha Sigma Kappa can shape who you become as a person and put you ahead of your peers in your future profession! Some of the best advice, personally and professionally, I ever received was to enjoy the process. I think we focus so much on the result of projects, semesters, and experiences that we forget to focus on what we learn about ourselves in the process.

The Inside L∞p

Royal Blue or Silver? Royal Blue

Hogwarts House? Ravenclaw – always searching for more knowledge!

Favorite branch of science? Microbiology due to the impact it has had on epidemiology!

First job? Lifeguard

Favorite season? Fall

Woman in STEM icon? Marie Curie – such a pioneer for her time and winning two Nobel prizes in different subjects.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? This one really stumped me. So may places came to mind but what really matters to me is having all my favorite people in the same area.

What might someone be surprised to know about you? I love electronic and house music. Nothing gets me going more like some good bass when I am trying to get stuff done.

Most memorable vacation? My fiancé and I backpacked through Europe for three weeks before I started my master’s degree. We went to London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Budapest, and Prague.

Favorite book? Stiff - The Curious Life of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach or The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson.

When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried? The first two friends I made here in Austin in my temporary housing situation are hilarious. We went out for drinks and shared some very silly dating stories!

What one superpower would you want? Teleportation. I travel a lot and want to be there as soon as possible!

If you could only have one food for the rest or your life, what would it be? A big, green chile smothered, breakfast burrito.