Mathew Coles

Matthew Coles

Counselor

Mathew grew up in Vail, Arizona a small town on the outskirts of Tucson. As a first-generation college student Mathew struggled to navigate the college admissions process and access resources. Unaware of how to apply to colleges and universities at the time, Mathew attended community college after graduating high school. While attending community college, Mathew took a position with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department where he worked as a Corrections Officer and then as a Sheriff’s Deputy while continuing to attend school part-time. After completing his associates degree Mathew transferred to the University of Arizona as a full-time student, leaving behind his career as a police officer to pursue his education. During this time Mathew worked part-time as a lab manager for the Social Roles and Identities lab, conducting research on implicit bias and social roles in which he received grants and scholarships recognizing his research accomplishments. In addition, Mathew was involved in PSI CHI, a national honor society in psychology, where he assumed the role as President until graduation. Mathew graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in Chinese language. 

Reflecting on his own experience with the college admissions process in high school, Mathew chose to pursue a master’s degree in school counseling at St. Bonaventure University with the goal of helping students navigate the transition between high school and college. Since receiving his master’s degree Mathew has worked as both a middle and high school counselor for the Arlington Public School District and has helped guide and educate many students through the college admissions process. After a couple years working as a school counselor, Mathew took a position as the assistant director of medical school admissions at The George Washington University where he reviewed applications and made recommendations to the committee for interview and acceptance and led information sessions with high school and college age students on the medical school admissions process.