Matthew Volpe

I started my career in higher education as a student at Kent State University and quickly realized that I was just as excited to help others be successful as my academic advisor and career advisor had been for me. I discovered that in student success work, peer leadership, and technological support, my favorite experiences were the one-on-ones I got to have with people to help them feel less stressed, more confident, and more connected to where they wanted to be.
I received my M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs from Kent State University in 2025. During my time as a graduate student at Kent State, I have worked in a variety of capacities on campus including in the Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement and Student Success Programs. I have provided support in academic coaching and transition programming and helped coordinate initiatives such as the P.E.E.R. Success Academy and Summer Advantage.  I also have experience in orientation and advising, including working with students during Destination Kent State, which expanded my understanding of how intentional support at the beginning of one’s academic journey can impact the entire experience. I continued after attaining my M.Ed. by serving as a Residence Hall Director, providing leadership and oversight for student staff, crisis response, and community building.

I approach advising with the values of collaboration, transparency, and care. I see each student as coming into the advising conversation with their own unique story, strengths, and lived experiences. It’s my job to help students develop an individualized plan for success. That looks like asking good questions, giving clear and honest information, naming options (and their consequences), and empowering students to be an advocate in their own academic and career decision-making processes. I aim to create inclusive, affirming spaces in which students know they are heard, respected, and supported, not just as students, but as people.

In my free time, I love spending time with friends and family, cooking, golfing, playing video games and relaxing with my two cats, Craig and Murray, while watching movies and listening to music. These moments keep me grounded, energized, and reminded of why community is so important—both in and out of the classroom.