Chris Morris

Student

“SMC and its teachers and counselors have brought out the person I always knew I could be: the success story.”

If you added up all his SMC accomplishments, you might think you were talking about a dozen people. Charter president of Phi Beta Kappa. First black member of the Adelante program. Black Collegians. Scholars Program. The list goes on… But perhaps it’s the help that he’s given to other SMC students that is the single greatest source of pride for Chris Morris. “I’ve tutored over 500 students through my community work with Alpha Gamma Sigma,” says Chris. “I helped people with English, sociology, psychology, history, and a little bit of broadcasting for good measure,” he says with a laugh. “I think that all adds up to having helped make a difference here.” But SMC has also made some profound differences in Chris.

“I never actually felt whole about who I was until I pursued my education at SMC,” says Chris, who plans on transferring to Berkeley or Stanford. “My time here has given me that solid foundation that’s going to allow me to succeed at a university. There’s an extraordinarily gifted faculty here,” he continues. “And wonderful counselors like Oscar Galindo of the Adelante program. But my mentor, confidante, and favorite professor of all time is Gayle Davis-Culp, my English teacher. I feel she encouraged me to be better than I ever expected.”

Chris reports that his goal is “to be a physician and have my own small family practice. I see my role in life as helping others, inspiring them when possible, and letting people know that their lives can become successes,” he says. “I’ve had nothing but encouragement from SMC—the only college I’ve ever been to. And I feel it’s been a real honor for me to be here and contribute what I can.”

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