Alumna packages a career in innovation
Third-generation alumnus Morgan Bright ’23 is making her mark as a packaging engineer for Newell Brands.
A third-generation Hokie and graduate of the College of Natural Resources and Environment, Morgan Bright ’23 is making her mark on the world of packaging design as an associate packaging engineer for Newell Brands, which works to develop innovative products for consumers.
“I work with brands like Rubbermaid to develop packaging designs for new products and coordinate with suppliers for packaging production,” said Bright, who has been working at Newell’s Huntersville, North Carolina, location.
Morgan Bright’s journey to Virginia Tech began with her father, Don Bright ’98. He studied wood science in the College of Natural Resources and Environment and is now the president of Meherrin River Forest Products. Don Bright met Morgan’s mother Kimberly Bright '98 at Virginia Tech. Not to be outdone, Morgan’s grandfather John David Barrett ’71, M.S. ’73 holds two degrees from the college and later served as an associate professor, associate dean, and the director of the Virginia Cooperative Extension program.
“I grew up wanting to study something similar to my dad,” said Morgan Bright, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in packaging systems and design from the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials “I discovered packaging systems and design on a tour of Virginia Tech and really fell in love with it.”
Aside from her family background, Bright was drawn to the influence she could have on sustainability. “I chose packaging because I wanted to make an impact on plastic pollution in packaging design and reduce waste,” she said.
Her role at Newell Brands requires an understanding of manufacturing, and she is able to use her expertise to help design products that meet the needs of consumers while reducing negative impacts on the environment.
During her time at Virginia Tech, Bright interned for Assistant Professor Eduardo Molina in the Corrugated Materials Testing Laboratory, a component of the Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design, where Molina is an associate director.
Bright also completed undergraduate research with funding from the International Safe Transit Association, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of product shipments. “I now use their testing standards in my everyday work, so my research was a great opportunity to build a knowledge base,” she said.
Outside of the lab, Bright spent her time as a student getting involved with several student organizations. She was president of the Packaging Systems and Design Club, a student organization that gives students opportunities to compete in packaging competitions and visit packaging events across the country. In her last semester, Bright was part of the planning board for the 2024 HokiePack Job Fair, led by Associate Professor Young-Teck Kim.
Bright started at Newell Brands as a packaging engineering intern in the summer of 2023. At the end of her internship, she was offered a full-time position in the same office where she interned, which has allowed her to build meaningful relationships with mentors across both experiences. “Everyone is very interested in teaching me, and I love learning about this field,” she said.
Written by Mollie Coogan, the college’s employer relations intern
