Indianapolis, IN
Website: www.jmorrisforiu.com
LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, & TikTok: @jmorrisforiu
B.A. 2005, M.S. 2007, J.D. 2014
Dear IU Hoosiers,
Thank you for the incredible privilege of serving as your alumni-elected IU Trustee for the past three years. It has been a true honor to represent the diverse voices of IU alumni worldwide. With your unwavering support, I am excited to announce my candidacy for a second term. Over the past three years, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with the current IU Board of Trustees and President Pamela Whitten. Together, we’ve made significant strides in enhancing the quality of education, strengthening our university’s reputation and brand, and fostering innovation in research.
In my second term, I am committed to continuing this momentum, focusing on initiatives to recruit and retain top faculty, expand our research endeavors, and further our engagement with the state of Indiana through economic partnerships and talent development. With your continued support, I am confident that we can build upon our successes and ensure a bright future for Indiana University.
Professional Experience
I currently serve as Senior Counsel at Taft Law in Indianapolis and Washington, D.C., where I am a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation and Compliance, Investigations, and White Collar Defense groups. I frequently represent individuals and businesses in white collar investigations, government prosecutions, and qui-tam (whistleblower) lawsuits under the False Claims Act and/or Stark Law. Prior to joining Taft, I served our country as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, where I spearheaded the prosecution of federal drug trafficking and firearms offenses, conspiracy, and violations of the Hobbs Act. Additionally, I played a pivotal role in public corruption investigations, tackling issues such as money laundering, bribery, and wire fraud.
As a proud three-time Indiana University alum, I received my B.A. in African American and African Diaspora Studies in 2005 from IU Bloomington, M.S. in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration in 2007 while working full-time on the IUPUI campus, and J.D. in 2014 from IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law. During graduate school, I studied abroad through programs at IU South Bend and IUPUI.
As an undergraduate, I was active in the following organizations: Indiana Memorial Union Board, RHA, Dean’s Advisory Board, Student Athlete Services tutor, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and NPHC Greek council president. During graduate studies, I advised several IUPUI Greek organizations and served on former IUPUI Chancellor Bantz’s Student Engagement Committee.
Why I’m Running
I am running to continue as your alumni-elected IU Trustee because I envision IU as the leader amongst all public universities where we can: (1) protect academic freedom and (2) continue to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in our Mission and Core Values:
- Protecting academic freedom. SB202 was signed into law in March 2024. As an attorney and Chairman of the Academic Affairs and University Policies Committee, I will continue working with IU leadership to ensure IU develops policies consistent with the law while simultaneously leveraging our IU Mission and Core Values, which places our students, faculty, staff, and alumni at the center of everything we do.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). For reasons I can’t quite pinpoint, there seems to be a shift in perspective regarding this phrase, and while it’s not inherently negative, it’s worth noting. It’s undeniable that today’s students are seeking an environment where they feel a sense of belonging and where their values are respected, notwithstanding of others’ opinions. I wholeheartedly support this sentiment. The brilliance and insight of today’s college students continually inspire me, and their influence is evident in shaping our IU community. I want to ensure we do not lose sight of what has allowed IU to become the institution it is today.
Indiana University is unwavering in its commitment to upholding the law, without question. However, a college experience isn’t complete without fostering an atmosphere that values diversity of thought, prioritizes equitable experiences, and provides a safe space where everyone feels they belong. I firmly believe that Indiana University is dedicated to continually striving for a more inclusive environment that embraces all.
It’s undeniable that higher education institutions nationwide are encountering unprecedented challenges, and Indiana University is no exception. Throughout my term as Trustee, I’ve adhered closely to IU’s Mission and Core Values, ensuring that every decision is grounded in these principles with the interests of all stakeholders in mind. As we navigate through a rapidly evolving landscape, I remain steadfast in my belief that Indiana University is an institution deeply committed to upholding our core values and prioritizing the well-being of our stakeholders. Moving forward, we will continue to advance the institution while addressing both the known and unknown challenges that lie ahead.