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Meet the Team
Morgan Newton
Founder and Program Director, SWIM F.A.S.T. Baltimore
Morgan has been immersed in the world of swimming since infancy, with her earliest memories rooted in the water alongside her mother. By the age of one, she was already learning to swim, and by seven, she began competing with the Baltimore City Swim Club in Park Heights. Her love for the sport quickly grew, shaping her discipline, perseverance, and deep appreciation for community.
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Morgan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (2018) from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she was initiated into the Kappa Phi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 2017. She went on to obtain a Master of Sport Leadership (2020) from Virginia Commonwealth University, followed by a Master of Business Administration (2024) from Morgan State University.
While at Morgan State, she was one of only 10 students selected from over 200 applicants nationwide for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Hennessy Fellowship Program. As a Hennessy Fellow, Morgan successfully pitched and secured top funding for SWIM F.A.S.T. Baltimore, furthering her mission to expand access to swim education. She remains an active member of the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., focusing on community engagement and empowerment.
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Professionally, Morgan serves as the Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness at Coppin State University, where she oversees aquatics, competitive sports, esports, fitness and wellness, and student development. Under her leadership, the department has been restructured and expanded, including the addition of four new professional roles to enhance its programs and services. Recently, Morgan oversaw a $500,000+ budget for renovating the Physical Education Complex's fitness center, a substantial enhancement for the student experience at Coppin.
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Beyond her professional and academic achievements, Morgan enjoys camping, cooking, paddleboarding, and building Legos, and she is a passionate music enthusiast. Through SWIM F.A.S.T. Baltimore, Morgan is committed to shattering barriers in swim education, ensuring that underserved communities have access to life-saving water safety skills.
Daniel Russell
Educator, Coach, and Youth Development Leader
Daniel Russell is a dedicated educator, swim coach, and youth development expert with over 25 years of experience in education, leadership, and mentoring. He began his career as a high school Spanish teacher, where he was honored as Teacher of the Year for his outstanding commitment to student success. His passion for education and community impact led him to become a school leader and turnaround expert, specializing in transforming underperforming schools into high-performing institutions.
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Beyond the classroom, Daniel has made a profound impact in swim coaching and success mentoring, helping young athletes and students develop both in and out of the water. As the Director of Aquatics at Coppin State University, he is committed to the resurgence of viable swim programming at HBCUs and expanding access to swimming and water safety education, particularly within underserved communities. He is also an American Red Cross instructor, ensuring that lifesaving skills are taught and shared throughout his programs.
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Daniel is the co-founder of Bridge the Gap, an educational consulting firm dedicated to improving outcomes for young people and fostering executive leadership development. Additionally, he is the founder of R-Trainers (aquatics and life saving education for learners of all ages) and Head Coach of the SplashCrabs Swim Club, where he trains swimmers of all levels and promotes diversity in aquatics.
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His leadership extends beyond coaching and education; he serves as an appointee to the Maryland Governor’s Office Citizens Review Board for Children, advocating for youth welfare and policy improvements. As the Co-Chair of Diversity in Aquatics’ HBCU, HSI, and Tribal Council, he works to increase representation and opportunities in aquatics for historically underrepresented communities.
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A strong advocate for neurodiverse athletes, Daniel has a particular focus on how swimming benefits individuals with sensory processing challenges, enhances confidence, and promotes overall well-being. His work continues to bridge the gap between education, athletics, and community impact, making a lasting difference in the lives of students, athletes, and families.