Meet Mister and Miss Morgan State University (2026-2027): Jordan Gipson and Ciara Osoba

HBCU Kings and Queens carry more than a title. They carry the culture, the history, and the pride of their entire campus every time they step onto the yard. That is why we at Watch The Yard are launching a new series dedicated to introducing you to the leaders wearing the crown this year, starting with Morgan State University.

Mister Morgan State University Jordan Gipson is a senior Business Management major from McDonough, Georgia, and a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., initiated in Fall 2024. Alongside him, Miss Morgan State University Ciara Osoba is a senior Elementary Education major from Queens, New York, and a soror of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., initiated in Fall 2025. Together, Gipson (@Jordandgipson) and Osoba (@Ciaraosoba) represent Morgan State’s Bear Nation with a shared commitment to authenticity and service.

Watch The Yard put out an open call to HBCU Kings and Queens across the country and we were able to interview Gipson and Osoba about their reign. Read our interview with them:

What motivated you to run for King of your school? Tell us what you campaigned on and what you set out to accomplish once you were crowned.

Jordan Gipson: “What made me run was wanting to be a representative of the idea that no matter what you go through in college, and no matter what trials and tribulations test you, your light will always shine through if you remain authentic to who you are. I want students to understand that they should never dim their light to fit into a room. If God called you to stand tall in that room, stand tall and be unapologetically yourself”

What do you love most about your school, and what would you want someone who has never set foot on your campus to understand about what makes it special?

Jordan Gipson: “Man, there is nothing like the energy at Morgan. I know that might sound cliché, but when I tell you, as soon as you step foot on Morgan’s campus, you feel embraced. And that’s not a coincidence it’s intentional. Every conversation, every interaction, and every connection feels genuine. The energy is different. We’re never too afraid to have a good time, be ourselves, and enjoy the moment, but we also know when it’s time to switch it up, handle business, and show up professionally. That balance is what makes Morgan special. It’s a place where you can be authentically yourself while still being pushed to become the best version of who you’re meant to be.”

How has your school molded you into the person you are today? Take us to a specific moment, person, or experience on your campus that changed you.

Ciara Osoba: “My school taught me that if I want something, I have to go get it myself, otherwise someone else will. That lesson hit home sophomore year. I thought about running for junior class president but talked myself out of it because I was scared. Then campaign season came and went, and nobody ran. The position reopened through an application, and I didn’t have a partner to run with, so I applied alone. I got it. That experience showed me exactly what hesitation costs you, and it’s a big reason I ran for Miss Morgan State University. I wasn’t going to let fear stop me twice.”

What does it mean to you to hold this title at an HBCU specifically, and what do you hope students take away from your reign long after you graduate?

Ciara Osoba: “For me, this crown means being the representation each student needs to see. For some, that’s representing them as a first-generation college student. For others, it’s representing them through my locs. At its core, it’s about being a mirror, making sure every student on this campus can see themselves in me. But it goes beyond campus, too. It means making sure the community around my school sees me, because in seeing me, I’m inspiring the next generation to choose an HBCU and showing them they can be royalty no matter where they come from.”

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Jordan Gipson and Ciara Osoba for the way they are already leading with heart at Morgan State University. Here’s to a reign built on authenticity, representation, and pride in the Bear. Congratulations, Mister and Miss Morgan State University. We wish you a successful and impactful reign.

(Photo Credit: @Blairrolling)