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The Grace of God and Human Rights: Morgan Calhoun ’18
As she reflects on her time at Covenant, Morgan (Barney) Calhoun ’18 can see how God has used her heart for people to further His kingdom on earth.
Prepared for Calling at Covenant
When Morgan began taking international studies classes at Covenant, she was excited to deepen her understanding of public policy, human rights, and international affairs. Since high school, she had been involved with anti-human trafficking efforts and understanding the effects of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on local populations. At Covenant, she learned that she could pursue a career that would play into these passions. She came to Covenant for its rigorous academics and strong community, and she found both. She asserts that her professors’ investment in her life is much of why she chose to pursue a PhD after her undergrad, saying, “Covenant professors treat students as individuals instead of transactions,” which she found to be a unique blessing. “Without Covenant, I am confident I would not have completed my PhD nor fully comprehend the degree to which my undergraduate education could further my understanding of God,” Morgan confirms.
School and Service at the University of Georgia
After graduating from Covenant in 2018, Morgan went to the University of Georgia to earn her PhD in political science and international affairs. While there, she completed internships with the International Justice Mission, the Human Rights Measurement Initiative, and external research for American Jewish World Services. She also worked as the instructor of record for three undergraduate courses at the university.
Faithful Vocation as a Policy Analyst
After UGA, Morgan’s first full-time position was with ECS Federal as a consultant and policy analyst. In 2023, she transitioned to her current role as a health policy analyst at Novant Health in Atlanta, GA. She credits God and His faithfulness for where she is today, getting to spread His grace to others. Her faith permeates every aspect of her life, informing both her beliefs and her decisions. She has a passion for preserving people’s inherent human rights because she knows that each person bears the image of God, and now she gets to use that in her career. “I love the opportunity to combine research and policy to impact real-world decision making,” she says. She urges students like her to be open-minded, to ask questions, to listen, and to consider who they want to be as they step into adulthood. “From the completion of my degree, to my marriage, my home, and current community I cannot help but give all glory to God. He is truly before all things and in Him all things hold together.”
To read more of her story, visit Morgan's alumni profile.