Morgan Dawkins (she/her) is an Architectural Engineering major with a specialization in construction at Penn State. She believes that engineering plays an important role in creating equitable solutions and is passionate about protecting marginalized communities through disaster-resilient infrastructure.

“Growing up in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, I saw the vulnerability of communities like mine to natural disasters… The state’s vulnerability, particularly in flood-prone areas like Rocky Mount, really kickstarted my desire to specialize in resilient and sustainable building structures.

By focusing on inclusive and sustainable designs, I believe that engineers can tackle issues such as climate change, while also addressing the socio-economic disparities that often exacerbate the effects of environmental challenges… I plan to use my degree to design structures that not only address climate justice but also create opportunities for everyone to be successful in a sustainable and resilient future.” – Morgan Dawkins, 2025 PAE Scholar