MURIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
Octo
ber 18, 2024
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of
the District of Co lumbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mende lson:
In accordance with section 2
of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-
142;
D.C. Official Code § 1-523.01), and pursuant to Section 204 of Title II of the Water and Sewer
Authority
Establishment and Department of Public Works Reorganization Act of 1996, effective April
18,
1996 (D.C. Law 11-111; D.C. Official Code § 34- 2202.04), I am pleased to nominate the following
individual:
Dr. Unique N. Morris-Hughes
Q Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
(Ward 5)
for appointment as a District resident
member of the Water and Sewer Authority Board of Directors,
filling
a vacant seat formerly held by Keith Anderson, for the remainder of an unexpired term to end
September 12, 2027.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-mentioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
Sincerely,
Muriel Bowser
Mayor 1
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4
5
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8
9
at the request
of the Mayor
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
10 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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12
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15 To confirm the appointment of Dr. Unique N. Morris-Hughes to the District of Columbia Water
16 and Sewer Authority Board of Directors.
17
18 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that this
19 resolution may be cited as the "District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority Board of
20 Directors Dr. Unique N. Morris-Hughes Confirmation Resolution of 2024".
21 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the appointment of:
22
23 Dr. Unique N. Morris-Hughes
24 Wright Terrace, NE
25 Washington, DC 20018
26 (Ward
5)
27
28 as a District resident member of the Board of Directors of the District of Columbia Water and
29 Sewer Authority, established by Section 204
of the Water and Sewer Authority Establishment
30 and Department of Public Works Reorganization Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C.
31 Law 11-111; D.C. Official Code§ 34-2202.04) , filling a vacant seat formerly held by Keith
32 Anderson, for the remainder of an unexpired term to end September 12, 2027.
33 Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
34 upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
35 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately. …continued…
Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes
Washington, DC
Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Organizational Leadership, | University of Maryland Eastern Shore | Princess Anne, MD
Master of Business Administration | Trinity College | Washington, DC
Bachelor of Arts, English | Johnson C. Smith University | Charlotte, NC
Study Abroad | Al Akhawayn University | Ifrane, Morocco
Career Experience
Director| 2018 – Present
District of Columbia Department of Employment Services/State Workforce Agency, Washington, DC
As the Director, the chief responsibility of this position is to act in the role of state labor secretary and provide oversight and
leadership to over 900 employees across eight divisions in five different locations. Lead the state workforce agency and
provide local leadership in workforce training, labor law enforcement, unemployment insurance, paid family leave, workers
compensation and occupational health and safety. Serve as the chief steward of three trust funds which include
unemployment insurance, workers compensation and paid family leave which total over $800 million dollars. Oversee agency
budget of $60 million dollars in local funds, $50 million in capital funds, and over $20 million in federal funds.
Selected Accomplishments:
•Implemented a $25 million workers’ compensation rebate or reduction in upfront costs to insurance carriers and
self-insured employers doing business in the District of Columbia.
•Provided oversight of programs where over 30,000 individual participants were served during the last three fiscal
years (30,307 individuals).
•Lead the agency to deliver more than 320,000 services provided to workforce development participants for the last
three fiscal years (324,044 services).
•Provided training that led to DOES customers to earn more than $700M in wages during the last five fiscal years
($706,289,539 earned).
•Selected as a 2018 Workforce Game Changer for outstanding service to the field of workforce development.
•Advanced the District of Columbia’s state workforce strategic plan, Vision Forward which creates a blueprint for the
state workforce agency.
•Commissioned an independent and peer-reviewed research, Strategic Priorities: Create Workforce Opportunities for
Youth in Washington DC.
•Developed the annual Talent Forward DC: Annual Economic Report providing a quantitate look at key economic
factors in the District of Columbia.
•Create a new approach to business services by launching the Office of Talent and Client Services.
•Honored by Walkers Legacy as the 2018 Community Advocate award.
•Successfully launch the Paid Family Leave program on-time and under budget
Chief Strategy Officer & Acting, Chief of Staff | 2016 – 2017
District of Columbia Department of Employment Services, Washington, DC
Lead the agency in a strategic “turn-around” effort to eliminate federal non-compliance and bring the agency into good
standing with US Department of Labor. Design and implement turnaround and operational strategies to improve agency
federal program performance. Work with the Office of the Deputy Mayor and the Director of the Employment Services as
subject matter expert with federal program implementation. Create policies that promote a positive culture and atmosphere.
Lead agency performance management, labor market information and research agenda. Develop innovative grant funding
program to build capacity of the network of training providers that serve at-risk youth and students.
Selected Accomplishments: Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes
2
•Lead the efforts for the District of Columbia’s Department of Employment Services Office of Youth Programs to exit
“High Risk”.
•Accelerated the enforcement of existing local labor laws to increase the number of employed District
resident’s, highlighted by administering the First Source program penalty in the program’s history.
•Attaining a top five (5) national ranking within the District’s worker’s compensation program and
recovering more than $25M in back wages and damages on behalf of District residents.
•Lead the DC Infrastructure Academy which initial strategic investment which was funded at $22.5M.
Develop and launch innovative training program focused on connecting the infrastructure industry
(transportation and logistics, information security, public utilities, and energy efficient technologies) to
the District’s skilled workforce.
•Implemented the reorganization of the nation’s largest summer youth employment program of approximately
13,000 participants to include 22-24 year old’s, as well as the inaugural launch of the Mayor’s Opportunity
Student Scholarship (MOSS), providing scholarships to 200 participants in excess of $250K.
•Oversee the Summer Youth Employment Program for the District of Columbia where Forbes magazine cites
Washington DC is the number one city for summer jobs.
Chief Operating Officer (COO) & Acting Assistant Superintendent for Wellness and Nutrition | 2014 – 2016
District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Washington, DC
Oversaw eight offices totaling 82 full time employees and supported core functions of agency. Lead the agency in a strategic
“turn-around” effort to eliminate federal non-compliance and bring the agency into good standing with US Department of
Education.
Selected Accomplishments:
•Lead the District of Columbia through a corrective action plan which led the District of Columbia to be off the “High-
Risk” sanctions which were previously held for over 15 years.
•Supervised three facilities maintained by the agency and oversaw per pupil funding, enrollment processes and
general tuition payments for residents.
•Lead Federal Programs Office, overseeing approximately $75 million and entitlement programs of Title I, Title II and
Title III.
•Managed annual enrollment audit for the DC, allocating $650 million of funds to support the public school system.
•Governed all offices under COO; including, but not limited to, Wellness and Nutrition Services, Office of Contracts
and Procurement, Office of Enrollment and Residency, and Office of Dispute Resolution.
•Lead highest ranked Summer Meals program in the country as designated by the United States Department of
Agriculture.
•Created cross-cutting federal education grants guidance aligning cost and activities amongst five grants.
Deputy Assistant Superintendent, Federal Grants Management | 2012 – 2014
Deputy Director, Office of Grants Management and Compliance 2012-2013
Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Washington, DC
Demonstrate expert knowledge of federal grant program laws, regulations, accounting principles, procurement laws governing
public funds, applicable Office of Budget and Management Circulars, and the Education Department Government
Administrative Regulations. Offered technical support and training to program managers. Developed and provided guidance
on grants management policies. Trained and provided knowledge of A-133 audit of grant programs. Also served as Deputy
Director and Director of the Office of Grants Management and Compliance from 2012 to 2013.
Assistant Head of School, Performance | 2011 – 2012
Septima Clark Public Charter School, Washington, DC
Serve as liaison to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Public Charter School Board, and other District of
Columbia Agencies. Advised school faculty and staff on the effects of current policy and legislation. Offered guidance to staff
on DC Municipal Regulations. Delivered training to staff, leadership, and board of trustees on school operations policy.
Recruited and hired new staff and served as point of contact for all parents and staff. Also served as acting Special Education
Coordinator, overseeing special education staff. Achieved LEA level compliance for federal entitlements supplementary to
ESEA programs, Highly Qualified Teacher documentation, and other federal grants. Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes
3
Program Manager/Center Director | 2008 – 2009
District of Columbia Public Schools, Washington, DC
Created and implemented new programs that are measurable and high quality, such as Adult, Family, and English Language
Literacy Programs. Used research-based programs to create best practices, including NCLB compliance for Title I Part A and
Title III. Provided overall leadership and administration to staff of six. Provided resources, programs, and information to
shareholders and practitioners in professional communities. Produced outreach strategy and implementation plan; exceeded
20% target of student/family population.
Director of Programs | 2006 – 2008
Junior Achievement of the National Capital Area, Washington, DC
Created opportunities for students to learn financial literacy, workforce preparedness, business, and economics. Created
opportunities for corporate partners and volunteers to teach students the importance of financial literacy, business, and
economics. Implemented research-based curriculum and programs. Served as primary contact for school system and district
government. Increased number of student participants within six months of program implementation. Generated resources
through fundraising.
Public Policy Coordinator | 2002 – 2005
Amazon.com, Seattle, Washington & Washington, DC
Worked closely with the Vice President of Global Public Policy and Directors of US Federal and State Public Policy with
compliance. Conducted research on legislative proposals and provided briefs on legislation of interest to senior
management. Responsibly managed team budget and team internal website. Served as the political action committee (PAC)
coordinator and ensured compliance with federal election campaign laws.
Teaching Experience
Adjunct Instructor & Consultant | USDA Graduate School, Washington, DC | 2009 – 2016: Design instructional materials
for performance management courses. Provides training to state and federal employees for Program Evaluation.
Adjunct Faculty | Trinity University, Washington, DC | 2007 – 2010: In-classroom instructor while utilizing web-based
technology. Advised students on scholarly research and writing in courses: Human Resource Management, Organizational
Behavior, Principles of Management and Leadership, and Social Entrepreneurship.
Professional Service & Memberships
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., 1999- present
Trustee, US Conference of Mayor’s Workforce Development Board, 2017 – present
Director for Region III, Board of Directors, National Association of State Workforce Agencies, 2020 – present
Board of Directors, Workforce Investment Council, District of Columbia, 2017 – present
Appointee/Mayor Designee, Adult Career Pathways Taskforce, 2017 – present
National Forum of Black Public Administrators, 2012 - Present
American Educational Research Association, 2010 – Present
Selected Publications, Speeches & Conference Presentations
Morris, U., December 2009. Measuring program performance and web 2.0 technologies: Getting the most from your
programs while engaging youth. NCNW-Dorothy Height Leadership Institute. Washington, DC. Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes
Morris, U., April 2010. The Relationship between Servant Leadership Characteristics and State Domain Hope: Validation for
the Inclusion of Hope in the Servant Leadership Theoretical Model. University of Maryland Eastern Shore Research
Symposium. Princess Anne, MD.
Morris, U., October 2010. Critical perspectives of early literacy coaching and the affects in at-risk populations. Consortium
for Research on Educational Accountability- National Evaluation Institute. Williamsburg, VA.
Morris, U. (2012) Psychological Capital of African American Professionals as Influences of Performance and Job
Satisfaction as Mediated by Self-Perceived Authenticity., University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
(Doctoral Dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertation and Theses databases.
Morris, U., Crosson-Settler, R., Leach, F., & Edogun, K., April 2013. From Compliance to Reform: Balancing Efforts to Reform
Public Education in the District of Columbia. National Forum of Black Public Administrators National Conference. Atlanta,
GA.
Morris, U., August 2017. Keynote Address: Being Unapologetically Authentic as Young Government Leaders. Blacks in
Government National Conference. Atlantic City, NJ.
Morris, U., April 2017. Perspectives on the impact of practice, program, and policy. Rutgers University Urban Teaching
Matters Conference. Camden, NJ.
Morris-Hughes, U. June 2018. Private –Public Business Partnership Key to Strengthening DC Workforce and Economy. LA
Sentinel. https://lasentinel.net/tag/dr-unique-morris-hughes
Morris-Hughes, U. April 2018. DC Summer jobs program grows up. Washington Post.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/summer-jobs-for-young-people- are-an-investment-in-our-
future/2018/05/18/aa7fa4f6-5924-11e8-858f-12becb4d6067 story.html?noredirect=on&utm term=.f518f1926d51
Morris-Hughes, U. 2019, October. Smart Cities Connect Conference: Inclusion, Innovation, and the Workforce of the Future.
https://www.digi.city/articles/whats-new.
Morris-Hughes, U. 2019, October.” Inclusive future of work”. https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-unveil-future-work-
dc.
Morris-Hughes, U. May 2019. Filling in the Workforce Gap Through Infrastructure Academies. American
Infrastructure Magazine. https://americaninfrastructuremag.com/filling-workforce-gap-infrastructure-academies/
Morris-Hughes, U. 2022. Talent Pipeline Launch Event with Senior Administration Officials, Employers, Union Leaders,
Training Providers, and Local Officials. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements
releases/2022/06/17/readout-of-talent-pipeline-challenge-launch-event-with-senior-administration-officials-employers-
union-leaders-training-providers-and-local-officials/.
Schreur, E., Yu, H., Pedigo, S., Standbrook, J., Taylor, M. & Morris-Hughes, U. ( 2022). A Refined Approach to
Measuring Take-Up Rates in Paid Family Leave Programs: A Case Study from The District of Columbia’s Paid Family
Leave Program [Manuscript submitted for publication]. Monthly Labor Review, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of
Labor.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Awards and Honors
•2022 DC One Fund Ambassador – Appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser to serve as chief fundraiser the Districts
annual giving campaign supporting community-based organizations in the District of Columba. By Leading and
representing 37,000 DC government employees, Ambassador Morris-Hughes raised nearly $1.3 million dollars in the
67th annual campaign in less than 8 weeks. Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes
5
• 2022 Leadership Award Honoree, Crittenton Services – an honor recognizing outstanding leadership in the District
of Columbia benefiting young women (https://crittentonservices.org/press-resources/).
• 2018 Workforce Game Changer of the Year – An annual award recognizing workforce development practitioners
and strategist across the county (https://www.prweb.com/releases/2018/06/prweb15585576.htm).
• 2018 The University of the District of Columbia Community College Division of Workforce Development & Lifelong
Learning Trailblazer Award.
• 2018 Walker’s Legacy Women in Economic Development Award
• 2015 DC Career and Technical Education Champions Award
• 1994 Seattle Youth Advocate of the Year
(https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19960421&slug=2325240)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mass Media and Social Media Impressions
Career and Workforce Development
• Facebook:
The First 90 Days: Best Practices for the New Mom- Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes
• TV:
WJLA – Armstrong Williams Show - UMH-WJLA 8.27.22
WUSA9 - DOES Director Odie Donald II and Chief Strategy Officer Unique Morris-Hughes on Great Day Washington
• Twitter:
@DOES DC Director Dr Unique Morris-Hughes on how they're fixing the system to help residents and hiring over 200
people in the process
Education and Youth
• Youtube:
Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes Answering Questions from Pioneer Fellows at Ted Talks in Washington, D.C.
Dr Unique Morris-Hughes Speaking at Rutgers University-Intro
Mayor Bowser Provides Grants to Connect More DC Residents to Earn-and-Learn Opportunities
Mayor Bowser Launches 2020 Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program, 1/31/20- Director Dr.
Unique Morris-Hughes makes speech
Faces of the 40th - Director Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes
Paid Family Leave
• TV:
Fox 5 - FOX 5 Zip Trip Union Market: 5 Must Stops!
• Youtube:
Mommy on a Budget- Thrive by Five DC
Philanthropy and Fundraising
• Youtube:
DC One Fund message from Director Unique Morris-Hughes. Executive Office of the Mayor – Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
Dr. Unique N. Morris- Hughes
Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes is the Director of the District of Columbia
Department of Employment Services (DOES). In her role as State Labor
Secretary, she is directly responsible for a budget of $196 million in local,
federal, and special purpose funds administered by the District of
Columbia and the federal government for workforce development
programs and training, unemployment compensation, universal paid
leave administration, and labor standards enforcement, along with more
than $80 million in active capital projects.
Previously, Dr. Morris-Hughes was the Chief Strategy Officer for DOES.
Appointed by Mayor Bowser to assist the Office of the Deputy Mayor for
Greater Economic Opportunity (DMGEO), Dr. Morris-Hughes was named Special Assistant &
Assistant Director of DOES in 2016. Within 18 months, her efforts helped lead to the removal of
the agency’s youth programs from a federal watch list. Previously, Dr. Morris -Hughes served at
the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), where she
guided that agency through a federal corrective action plan. As a result of the corrective steps taken
at OSSE, the District exited federal high-risk status for grant oversight, operation management,
and fiscal reporting.
Dr. Morris-Hughes’ other major accomplishments include, while at OSSE, leading the District of
Columbia to its ranking as the top state (and jurisdiction) in the country for the US Department of
Agriculture summer meals program.
Dr. Morris-Hughes is a member of the American Educational Research Association, the National
Forum for Black Public Administrators, the Textbook and Academic Authors Association of
America, the National Alliance of Black School Educators, the National Black MBA Association,
the International Leadership Association, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
A Ward 4 resident, Dr. Morris-Hughes earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Johnson C.
Smith University, her Master of Business Administration from Trinity University, and her PhD in
Organizational Leadership from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor
______________________________________________________________________________
The John A. Wilson Building • 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW • Suite 300 • Washington, D.C. 20004 • Office (202) 724-7681
To: Kimberly A. Bassett, Steve Walker
From: Betsy Cavendish
Date: October 10, 2024
Subject: Legal sufficiency review of a resolution appointing Unique Morris-Hughes as a
member of the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority Board of
Directors
This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced Order and found
it to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not hesitate
to call Michael Porcello, Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at 202-727-
0872, or me at 202-724-7681.
______________________________
Elizabeth Cavendish