Up Close & Somewhat Personal
An informal Q&A with
Morgan Martin
Morgan Martin
- Auburn Dental Spa Assistant Program Coordinator
- Social Media Coordinator at Auburn Dental Spa
MM: While a student at Auburn, I was a part of the event team for the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. My boss, at the time, had a passion for florals and had taken Dr. Robinson’s floral design class. I had no intention of getting into the event planning world or the floral design aspect of events at that time.
However, the longer I worked at the art museum my heart and interests were captivated. My boss encouraged me to sign up for the floral design class at Auburn. She said she thought it would be a fun, creative outlet for me and felt that I would learn more than I expected. She helped me sign up for the course, and it instantly became my favorite class ever.
Q: How did you get into advising, and what is your favorite part of the job?
MM: I heard about the advising position through some Auburn faculty members who encouraged me to look into it. They said that they thought it would be a great fit for me. The more I researched the role, the more it inspired me. I was thrilled at the prospect of becoming a resource to the Auburn students and, even more so, to contribute to the department that meant so much to me. My favorite parts of advising have been getting to know the Auburn students, community, and family within the College of Agriculture. Everyone has welcomed me with open arms, and they’ve been so helpful and encouraging. It truly is a family environment, and I love that so much.
Q: What’s the best part of your job as advisor in the Department of Horticulture?
MM: The best part of my job is meeting every student where they are at and helping them plan logistically and educationally for their futures. I love hearing their stories, learning where they’re coming from, and seeing their passion and goals for the future. The privilege of playing even a small role in the lives of our students is something I am beyond grateful for.
Q: You’re an Auburn native. What kept you here?
MM: Growing up in a college town was different from what you would imagine. Yes, we went to the football games and sporting events, but my childhood friend group and I had no idea that there was an entirely different community of students just 10 minutes from our home. A community that brought people from all over the world to our little hometown. As we grew up, we began to appreciate the Auburn community more. Many have asked me why I chose to stay in Auburn since I grew up here. I always say that Auburn is a perfect fit for all stages of life.
Q: How did you meet your husband (Zachary Jones, Master of Science in horticulture ’20)?
MM: We met while I was designing florals for a wedding in 2019. Zac was working on staff at the church where that wedding was taking place. The bride and groom asked me to design florals for the church’s cross, so I dropped by the sanctuary to get the cross measurements for the design. We exchanged numbers that day — for wedding planning purposes, of course — and the rest was history. Our story started with florals and horticulture, and that has been a major theme in our lives ever since.
Q: If you had a billboard, what would it say and why?
MM: “One life is plenty when you open yourself up to all experiences.” Dr. Wheeler Foshee puts it so eloquently when he says, “Each person has intrinsic value and purpose.” I agree. Each person has a calling on their life, and it is so exciting to be a part of the most impactful and influential time of an Auburn student’s life.