Ken Morris, Jr., CDE®, IDI®-QA

“If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together.” - African Proverb

Ken Morris, Jr. CDE®, IDI®-QA is the Chief Diversity Officer at Ankeny Community School District. Ken has a wide variety of experience with diversity, equity and inclusion that spans PK-12 through public and private colleges and universities. Ken is a sought-after speaker and facilitator; he has presented nationally at the Council of Chief State School Officers conference and most recently at Iowa’s Ideas 2022 and Iowa Association of School Boards Annual Convention.

He’s had leadership roles in diversity offices and has worked as a student services professional. While working in student services Ken co-authored a chapter in the “New Directions for Student Services” publication called “Making Meaning through Multicultural Initiatives.” Ken earned his certified diversity executive (CDE) credential through the Institute of Diversity Certification, he also is a qualified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). Ken is a member of the 6th Judicial District Cultural Competency Advisory Board and served as a commissioner for the Iowa Commission on the Status of African Americans which is a division of the Iowa Department of Human Rights

Ken is a doctoral candidate in Education at Drake University, he earned his Master’s in Educational Leadership from Western Illinois University and Bachelor’s degree in Art from Monmouth College. He is currently a board member of Ankeny Community Network. He previously held a board position at The Academy of Scholastic and Personal Success and was a volunteer on the St. Luke’s Patient Family Advisory Council.