Student Spotlight: Bryan Matthew (MPA-PNP 2025)

Bryan Matthew

Bryan Matthew (MPA-PNP 2025), chair, Wagner Black Student Association (BSA)

Can you share a bit about yourself and what inspired you to attend a school of public service?

I am from Piscataway, New Jersey, and I am a proud first-generation college student. I graduated from Rutgers University with a dual bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and social work. Helping and serving others has been my calling and it brings me joy in life. The COVID-19 pandemic pivoted my life and career trajectory. I did not have a graduation, and the jobs I applied to went on a hiring freeze. It was learning how marginalized communities were disproportionately affected economically and the devastating loss of lives from COVID that prompted me to serve on the frontline through AmeriCorps. My service term with AmeriCorps inspired me to pursue a Master of Public Administration because it is an interdisciplinary degree that will equip me with the skills and knowledge to lead effectively as a public servant.

I discovered NYU Wagner through the AmeriCorps’ Schools of National Service initiative, which highlights partnerships with institutions that recognize the value of AmeriCorps alumni and their commitment to civic engagement. I was amazed by the benefits Wagner offers to AmeriCorps alumni.   After attending Admitted Students Day, connecting with Wagner alumni, and hearing about their Wagner experiences, I knew that Wagner would be the best place for me to grow as a public servant and change agent. Being a Wagnerd means being part of a legacy greater than yourself and contributing to create a positive, long-lasting change in the world.

How have your past experiences helped you be successful at Wagner so far?

My time as an AmeriCorps VISTA Community Partnerships & Volunteers Coordinator at the Puerto Rican Action Board (PRAB Inc.) during the pandemic have equipped me with various skills that contribute to my success at Wagner. My role focused on recruiting and sustaining volunteers, creating community service projects, and building relationships with local community partners—all while navigating limited resources and strict COVID-19 restrictions. AmeriCorps also provided me with professional development trainings that enhanced my leadership, project management, and collaboration skills. This experience taught me the importance of adaptability, strategic planning, and innovativeness.

Being a mentor, volunteer, and engaging in service learning abroad has cultivated my compassion and cultural competency, which are essential to my work today. Most of all, my lived experience as a first-generation college student and Black man has shaped my passion for diversity, equity, inclusion, and public service. As a proud product of programs like the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), Rutgers Future Scholars (RFS), and TRIO, I have experienced firsthand how mentorship and access to resources can transform lives. This inspires me to pay it forward. It guides the work I do at Wagner and with BSA, where I strive to keep equity and inclusion at the center of my efforts.

What does it mean to you to be the chair of BSA?

Serving as chair of the Black Student Association has been a truly rewarding experience and a profound honor. This role has allowed me to collaborate with amazing student groups within Wagner and across NYU, serve both the Wagner and broader NYU community, and contribute to creating a space where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported. 

Leading a student organization has always been a dream of mine and this role has made that dream a reality. It has been a pleasure to witness the meaningful impact of our work on our peers and faculty, especially as they express their gratitude for all that we have accomplished as an organization. It is also humbling to have other student group leaders reach out for my insights, seeking to mirror our strategies and engagement or learn from my leadership. Even hearing my name mentioned in conversations about my leadership and character is both an honor and a reminder of my purpose: to inspire, uplift, and make a lasting impact on others. 

I am deeply grateful for my past and current BSA E-board for trusting me to serve in this role. I am proud that I get to carry BSA’s legacy forward and leave my mark on both the organization and Wagner community.

What kind of programming does BSA offer? How can other students get involved?

BSA’s mission is to provide various support mechanisms and increase social networks for BIPOC students at Wagner. We bring our core values—community, diversity, and impact—to life through a variety of programming designed to enhance the educational and social experience of Wagner students and the broader NYU community.

  • Community Building: We focus on building a community for Black students and students of the African diaspora. This includes hosting social mixers, cultural events, and collaborative gatherings. The Black Grad Social was an event I proposed last year to bring together Black graduate students from across NYU schools. Due to its successful turnout, positive feedback, and the clear need from students for such a space, we have made it a signature event. This gathering continues to foster a sense of belonging and connection among Black students, strengthening the community across different disciplines at NYU.
     
  • Support & Networks: BSA aims to create networks of support between students, faculty, alumni, and other key stakeholders through collaboration. We collaborate with other student groups to foster and strengthen these connections outside the classroom and offer professional development and network opportunities. In partnership with the Office of Career Services (OCS), we host our annual Black Excellence in Public Service panel, where Black Wagner Alumni share their experiences at Wagner and offer insights into professional trajectories. 
     
  • Diversity and Inclusion: BSA actively supports structures that promote diversity and inclusion at Wagner and beyond. In planning all of our events, we center diversity, equity, and inclusion by ensuring the lives and experiences of BIPOC students are at the forefront. Last semester, we expanded the impact of our annual Welcome Back Faculty/Student Mixer by partnering with various identity-based student groups. It was a great way to start the semester, especially in our new Wagner building, by allowing students and faculty from diverse backgrounds to connect, engage in meaningful conversations, and build community.

There are multiple ways for students to get involved with BSA: 

  • Attend our events: Stay updated on our events through our Instagram page, WhatsApp group, and monthly newsletter. 

  • Join our executive board: We are still accepting applications for first year representatives. This is a great opportunity to gain valuable skills and experience by working closely with my team and me.

In March, we will begin recruiting for the 2025-2026 BSA Executive Board. I am both excited and thrilled to prepare to pass the baton to my successor and to welcome the new team that will continue advancing BSA’s mission and impact. Stay tuned as we have a lot of amazing events this semester that you do not want to miss!