• News |  
• Articles |  
• Morgan Sims named summer 2026 graduation marshal

Morgan Adrianna Sims selected as student marshal for Auburn University’s summer 2026 commencement

Morgan Adrianna Sims, a graduating senior from Homewood, Alabama, has been named the summer 2026 graduation marshal for the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University.

Sims will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with minors in business and Spanish. She is a first-generation college student and graduate who shares the accomplishment with her family.

Every day, Sims joined her family in their small home outside Birmingham to watch the news together, which sparked Sims’ interest in the potential power of storytelling.

“Growing up in a city like Birmingham, I’ve witnessed the good, the bad and the ugly. There are so many issues that I feel are overlooked, especially in underserved communities,” Sims said. “When I looked around and saw the clear contrast between the lifestyles of neighboring communities, I realized these problems needed to be brought to the surface. That's where my love for storytelling and writing came in, and it heavily influenced my decision to study journalism.”

Sims added minors in business and Spanish because she wants to connect with people from all backgrounds while leveraging skills to create the greatest impact.

During her time at Auburn, Sims served as a podcast editor and sports writer for the Auburn Plainsman, camera operator for War Eagle Productions and in several roles for Eagle Eye TV, including sports reporter, news reporter, news anchor, assistant news producer, news producer and executive news producer.

“I had always admired Auburn’s journalism program and the countless opportunities it offers students to gain real-world experience,” Sims said. “Auburn shaped me not only as a person because of the people who encouraged me to grow, but also as a journalist through the many media organizations that welcomed me and gave me valuable hands-on experience in my field.”

She’s also attended the CNN Bootcamp in Atlanta, participated as a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, been elected president of Auburn’s communication and journalism honor society Lambda Pi Eta, welcomed guests to sporting events as a Tigers Unlimited Ambassador, field hosted for the World Cup friendly at Jordan-Hare Stadium and studied abroad in Spain.

Throughout the summer, Sims worked as a student videographer in Auburn’s Office of Communications and Marketing, producing promotional content and cultivating media relations. She also interned at WSFA 12 News, during which she built her skills in a real newsroom and covered complex conversations about health, interviewed grieving families and witnessed history unfold.

With each experience, Sims said she measures success in the impact her work has on underserved communities.

“Ultimately, my plans are not defined by the specific market size or the prestige of the news station where I land, but by the tangible impact I leave behind,” Sims said. “I want to redefine how local media interacts with vulnerable populations, moving toward restorative storytelling that not only highlights problems but also explores meaningful solutions.”

After graduation, Sims will seek employment as a multimedia journalist, specializing in investigative and community-focused reporting. She hopes to one day make investigative documentaries to amplify community voices and challenge systemic and social inequalities.

“Morgan exhibits all of the qualities of a storyteller who will use her voice to lift up others and change the world for the better,” said Dean Jason Hicks. “We are proud to have had her on this part of her journey, and her service as graduation marshal is representative of just the beginning of her leadership in the field of journalism.”

The university will host the College of Liberal Arts commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. CST on Saturday, Aug. 8. The commencement address will be delivered by Veterans Moving Forward President and CEO Gordon Sumner ’06.

Additional information, including updates regarding inclement weather, is available on the commencement website and information will be posted on the Facebook and Instagram accounts.

All ceremonies will be livestreamed, with recordings available on the commencement website following the weekend festivities, and graduates and their families are encouraged to check the website regularly for updated information.

Tags: Communication and Journalism World Languages Literatures and Cultures Students