A University of Texas at Dallas alumnus who contributed to Project 2025 is scheduled to speak on campus Wednesday.

Derrick Morgan is executive vice president of The Heritage Foundation and a contributor to Project 2025 — the foundation’s plan for how the next president could reshape American government.

The 1999 graduate is scheduled to speak at an event titled “Unpacking the Elections,” hosted by the School of Economic, Political and Political Sciences.

Some student groups are planning protests. On social media, two campus organizations – the Rainbow Guard and the Young Democratic Socialists of America – shared a video calling on protesters to gather in front of the building where the event will take place to “show UTD that we do not do not tolerate fascism on our campus. .”

“As one of the architects of Project 2025, Morgan’s far-right agenda includes the criminalization of trans existence, mass expulsion of immigrants, dangerous environmental policy and much more,” they wrote students on social networks.

The students’ posts indicated that the event took place on the same day that many commemorated “Transgender Day of Remembrance,” an annual event that began in 1999 to mourn transgender people who have been killed, according to GLAAD, an organization at LGBTQ rights non-profit.

“It is despicable that UTD would seek to accommodate a man who calls gender-affirming care ‘child mutilation’ one day so we can mourn our trans brothers and sisters lost to violence,” they said. added the students.

In a statement to The Dallas Morning Newsa UTD spokesperson said Morgan would speak with students and was not paid for his visit.

“We recognize that our community is diverse and has varying viewpoints,” the statement said. “UT Dallas remains committed to fostering an environment that promotes civil discourse, and we encourage our students to respectfully engage with those who have different perspectives.”

Morgan did not respond to a request for comment sent to the foundation.

A Texan, Morgan graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in government. In April, he received a lifetime achievement award, “given to graduates who have achieved great prominence in their careers.”

Morgan is cited in Project 2025 as part of the foundation’s leadership which spent considerable time reviewing, editing, and providing expert advice on the project manuscript. The 2025 project was a critical point of debate during the presidential campaign.

President-elect Donald Trump has distanced himself from the 2025 plan, but the people who contributed to the document are former and future members of his administration.

Morgan has worked in all three branches of government, ranging from campaign aide to chief of staff. Most notably, Morgan served as an assistant, special advisor and cabinet secretary to former Vice President Dick Cheney under former President George W. Bush.

Earlier in his career, Morgan clerked for Judge Sidney Fitzwater of the Northern District of Texas. He holds a law degree from Georgetown University and lives in Washington, DC.

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