Two-time Shippensburg graduate, Sam Morris’17 M’19, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Arts in Applied History. Upon receiving his master’s, Morris served as a Legislative Aide in State Representative Craig Staats’ district office. Presently, Morris acts as a Legislative and Policy Analyst for Saxton and Stump, founded by James W. Saxton, a John L. Grove College of Business alumnus and the 2024 Spring Undergraduate Commencement speaker.
“I would absolutely recommend both the undergraduate and graduate history programs at Shippensburg University,” said Morris. While his original goal after graduation was to work in a museum, his studies still allowed him to gain invaluable skills that he uses on a daily basis within his work, such as critical and analytical thinking, conducting research, problem-solving, and a deep understanding of cultural and historical context. “The program provides a strong foundation that has helped me succeed in a variety of professional settings, even beyond the traditional history field,” Morris expressed.
As a Legislative and Policy Analyst at Saxton and Stump, Morris is a part of the Regulatory & Government Affairs team. He conducts in-depth research, tracks state legislative activity, and provides guidance to support government affairs clients — all skills Morris built upon during his time in the Master’s of Applied History program. He also monitors legislation moving through the Pennsylvania General Assembly and regulations under consideration by state agencies, keeping lobbyists and clients informed as proposals advance.
During Morris’s time as a legislative aide, he navigated issues with state agencies such as PennDOT, the Department of Labor & Industry, the Department of State and several others. In this role, he expanded upon his hands-on experience by addressing issues facing the state. The foundation that he gained at Ship helped him thrive in this role, and serving as a legislative aide provided a strong foundation that has been invaluable to his current role at Saxton & Stump.
When asked if he would like to recognize anyone for contributing to his success, Morris stated that he did not want to single out any one person, but rather give a shoutout to the entire History Department faculty. “Their dedication made a lasting impact on my education and prepared me for the challenges I face in my career today,” Morris said.
