Strive for Excellence featuring Matthew Nelson
In this installment of the Detroit Worldwide Podcast, Marquis connects with emerging scholar, thought leader, engineer, and STEM advocate , Matthew Nelson about the importance of goal setting and what it means to persevere over life challenges.
Matthew also discusses his lived experience attending the University of Michigan as an adult learner as well as his transition into leadership roles within the world of STEM.
About Matthew:
Matthew Nelson is the National Chairperson Emeritus of the National Society of Black Engineers. As National Chair from 2018-2019, he led the efforts to increase the number of undergraduate engineering degrees earned by black students annually from roughly 3,500 to 10,000 by the year 2025. During his tenure, NSBE grew its membership base by 26%, significantly increased the number of NSBE Jr. chapters, improved its fiscal forecasting and management capabilities and successfully executed two of the highest attended Annual Conventions in the history of the Society.
A graduate of Frank Cody High School, Matthew's collegiate journey began at the University of Michigan in 2002, where he struggled just to maintain a below-average GPA. After falling out of the engineering pipeline, Matthew spent several years working to return to higher academia. Matthew returned to Lansing Community College in 2011, where he made the President's List with a 3.91 GPA and received induction to Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. At that point, Matthew decided to return to Michigan to finish his journey and to share his testimony. Matthew earned University Honors, made the Dean’s List, earned the College of Engineering Distinguished Leadership Award, and was awarded the first-ever Center for Engineering and Outreach (CEDO) Legacy Award for his work in Engineering Diversity.
Matthew earned his Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Operations Engineering with a minor in Multidisciplinary Design and a Master of Science in Design Science, and is currently pursuing a PhD in the latter. As a Bridge to the Doctorate Fellow and Rackham Merit Fellow, Matthew researches the integration of design heuristics and data analytics into human capital management practices. Matthew currently works as a consultant for the Michigan Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation as well as the Center for Socially Engaged Design and the Center for Education Design, Evaluation and Research.
Matthew continues to advocate for increased resources for non-traditional and minority students, as well as inspire those considering returning to college. Matthew frequently engages in public speaking, encouraging both young and old to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math professions. Matthew also works with a number of Fortune 500 organizations to improve their diversity recruitment and retention outcomes.
Matthew is a proud native Detroiter, and credits his success to early exposure to science and technology he received through Detroit Public Schools, as well as programs such as DAPCEP (Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program) and Generation of Promise. Matthew founded Orisa Design, a consulting firm that uses design principles to address organizational climate and culture issues. Matthew attends Northwest Unity Missionary Baptist Church, where he also serves as Trustee. Matthew and his beautiful wife Breanna, also a native Detroiter, have been married for eight years.
Connect with Matthew:
Email: mnelson@orisadesign.com
Twitter: @STEMLifestyle
Instagram: @TheSTEMLifestyle
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/STEM