Alumni Spotlight | Erica Morgan
Erica Morgan - The Richie Morgan Playground Campaign
Erica Morgan: From NVS Playground to Leadership
For generations, the playground at Neskowin Valley School (NVS) has been a place where children learned to take risks, build confidence, and create lifelong memories. For Erica Morgan, an NVS alum, those early experiences shaped the foundation of her resilience, leadership, and career. Erica was always more confident outside of the classroom, from playing outside to dance class. Her resiliency and inquisitive nature were nurtured by her teachers at NVS and helped her transition from the Oregon Coast to Maryland in middle school. The supportive environment at NVS instilled in her a lifelong passion for exploration and learning, values that her parents, Richie and Lovetta Morgan, sought when they chose the school for their three children.
Richie Morgan was a devoted father and husband who prioritized a strong foundation of education and adventure for his children—Erica, Isaac, and Rachel—who all attended NVS in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The Morgan children thrived at the school, and the playground was a space where they learned to take chances, challenge themselves, and embrace the joy of play. After leaving the Oregon Coast, Erica’s journey took her to the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned her bachelor’s degree, and later to George Washington University, where she obtained a master’s degree in Legislative Affairs. Today, Erica serves as the Deputy Division Chief, DAFC, GS14-4, bringing her expertise in legislative affairs and leadership to her role.
When Erica and her husband, Nate, visited NVS in the fall of 2023, they were surprised to see the same playground equipment from the 1990s still in use. That moment sparked a powerful idea.
"To best honor my father Richie’s legacy of exploration and risk-taking, we’re going to build a new playground for the next generation," said Erica.
Richie's adventurous spirit lives on in his children. He excelled in soccer, baseball, and basketball and later enjoyed CrossFit with his son, Isaac. Today, Isaac is a marathon runner, a CrossFit enthusiast, and a partner at a law firm in Frederick, Maryland. His sister Rachel works in the U.S. Senate managing legislative operations on the Senate Floor and stays active with Pure Barre and Peloton. Erica, a dedicated public servant, recently completed the Army 10-Miler and also trains on Peloton.
The Morgan family’s dedication to perseverance, adventure, and community aligns perfectly with the spirit of NVS. Now, they are asking for your help in bringing this vision to life.
This new playground will be a tribute to Richie’s legacy and a gift to the future students of NVS—a space where they, too, can learn, grow, and embrace adventure through play.