Congratulations to our January 2025 Member of the Month (MeMo) Sydney Matthes! National College Attainment Network (NCAN) staff asked her both professional and personal questions so you can get to know her and the work
she does better.
Name: Sydney Matthes
Location: El Paso, TX
Alma Mater: West Virginia University, George Washington University
Q: What brought you to the college access and success field initially? A: I owe much of my journey in college access to Kate McKeen, who worked
in admissions at WVU and was my high school's regional representative. She recognized my potential as a first-generation student and later offered me an internship in WVU's undergraduate admissions office during my senior year of college. Through
that role, I planned admissions events and supported first-gen students of color, which solidified my passion for a career in higher education and college access.
Q: What do you love most about your role or organization? A: What I love most about Service to School is the privilege of serving our students. We provide free college admissions resources to service members and
veterans transitioning from military careers, many of whom are first-generation college students. As non-traditional students, typically aged 24-26, they often lack access to school counselors or guidance on applications and personal statements. There’s
nothing more rewarding than helping a student who says, “I don’t know where to start,” knowing our mentors and staff will provide the support they need to succeed in their admissions journey.
Q: What's your favorite thing about being an NCAN member? A: What I value most about being an NCAN member is connecting and sharing resources with other college access organizations. Serving on the Advisory Task
Force has allowed me to discuss key challenges like FAFSA completion, data practices, and supporting adult learners. Collaborating and brainstorming with mission-driven organizations is truly inspiring and impactful.
Q: What advice do you have for NCAN members who are new to college attainment work? A: Dive in! Attend the webinars, apply to join the Advisory Task Force, and build relationships.
Personality Questions
Every month, our MeMos will be answering some fun questions to help us get to know their “out of office” side. For 2025, we added some new, fun questions and kept some of the popular ones too to keep this section as interesting as our MeMos! Be on the look out for different ones each month!
Q: If you were dropped into any movie or TV show as a new main character, what movie or TV show would you pick and why? A: This is easy. After exhausting everything on Netflix during the COVID-19 pandemic, my husband and I started watching
all the old seasons of Survivor and now every Wednesday the new episode is the highlight of our week. At the end of every episode, Jeff Probst says, "apply to be on Survivor," one day I'm going to actually do it!
Q: What's one thing you'd like to cross off your personal bucket list? Is there one thing you've crossed off already that you're really proud of? A: I
dream of owning my own business. I keep a list on my phone of all my new ideas! From a boutique fitness studio to a fudge shop - it's fun to envision. One thing I've already crossed off my bucket list is learning to surf! We lived in Hawaii for three
years and I developed such a love for the sport. I always try to share the feeling of catching a wave but it's really something I think everyone should experience once in their life.
Q: Imagine you could teleport anywhere. Where would you go right now and why? A: I've dreamed of going to Morocco! The food and colors - looks like a magical place.
Q: What's your favorite food, and one food you don't like? A: Favorite food is tough, brisket, tacos, sushi, hamburgers. I love it all. Food I don't like? Mushrooms.
Q: If you could immediately be fluent in one language AND proficiently play one instrument, which language and instrument would you choose and why? A: Living
in El Paso, TX, I wish I was fluent in Spanish. If I could play one instrument, I would learn to play the drums.
Q:What’s one topic, not related to education/college attainment, that you could give an impromptu 45-minute TEDTalk about? A: Loading
the dishwasher! I've learned over the years it is truly an art.
Q: What's on your to be read next list? A: Democracy in Retrograde by Sami Sage & Emily Amick.
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