Appointed as the eighth president in The Century Foundation’s (TCF) 106-year history, Julie Margetta Morgan, J.D. ’06, Ph.D. ’10 (Higher Education), assumed the role on April 1, 2025. One of the nation’s leading progressive think tanks, TCF promotes economic, racial, gender, and disability equity across education, health care, and the workplace, and advocates for U.S. foreign policy that fosters international cooperation and security.
The Century Foundation promotes economic, racial, gender, and disability equity in education, health care, and the workplace, while advocating for U.S. foreign policy that fosters international cooperation and security.
A respected policy expert and leader, Morgan’s journey reflects a career devoted to promoting social justice and advancing educational opportunities—a commitment she honed as a student at Boston College. After starting her studies in Boston College’s unique Law and Education Dual Degree Program, Morgan went on to earn her Ph.D. in higher education from the Lynch School of Education and Human Development in 2012, four years after completing her J.D. at BC Law School.
Her academic foundation at Boston College laid the groundwork for a career shaping national education policy. She served as a policy analyst at the Center for American Progress, senior education counsel and senior domestic policy advisor to U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, and held key roles at the Roosevelt Institute and the Gates Foundation. In the Biden-Harris administration, she served as a member of the Covid-19 Policy Team, Deputy Under Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education, and, most recently, as the Associate Director of Research, Monitoring, and Regulations at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Julie Margetta Morgan, Photo by The Century Foundation
Reflecting on Morgan’s appointment to the helm of TCF, Senator Warren shared, in comments to the organization, “Julie is talented, tenacious, and willing to tackle the toughest problems our country is facing. Whether it’s student loans, health care, or housing, Julie has been a key architect on how to reform our broken system. With Julie at the helm, The Century Foundation will help to chart a new course to unrig our economy and our democracy.”
Morgan’s experience spans government and advocacy. At the U.S. Department of Education, she was pivotal in designing reforms to student loan forgiveness and income-driven repayment plans that have impacted millions of borrowers. At the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, she championed efforts to protect consumers from predatory practices, including junk fees and medical debt.
She has described her time at Boston College—at both the Lynch School and the Law School —as “instrumental in my career.” Reflecting on that experience, she said, “It’s helpful to know how laws work and to have a background in the social science research that informs the content.”
As president of The Century Foundation, Morgan leads the organization’s work to advance economic equity and strengthen democratic institutions, with a focus on the pressing challenges facing American families today. Her leadership underscores the Lynch School’s enduring legacy of preparing graduates who shape policy and drive positive change.
In her statement, Morgan expressed both gratitude and determination about the work ahead. “At a time when too many families are struggling to make ends meet and government has been hijacked to serve the interests of the wealthy and big business, it is critically important that we rise to the occasion—to get more creative, ambitious, and bold,” she said. “TCF is uniquely built for a moment like this, and I can’t wait to join the world-class team and get to work.”
The Lynch School community celebrates Morgan’s appointment and her continued dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of countless individuals and families.