When Matthew Kinsler came to East Tennessee State University, he could easily answer the question so many college students are asked: What do you want to study?
The “what” was simple for Matthew. Since he was in second grade, he knew he wanted to be a math teacher.
However, a mentor helped the ETSU senior realize the importance of another part of the equation to make the most of his college experience.
“My mentor, Timothy Lewis, told me that finding your ‘why’ is the most important thing you can do,” Matthew said. “I discovered that I enjoyed building up the connections around me, and that the people are part of my ‘why’ and my experience here at ETSU.”
Matthew found his niche at ETSU as a POLO (Preview and Orientation Leader Organization) intern and Expedition Leader in the Office of Admissions, taking new and prospective students on tours of the ETSU campus and introducing them to the university. That is where he met Lewis, who serves as director of New Student and Family Programs.
“POLO has been so meaningful for me because I’ve been able to interact with new people,” said the Morristown native. “I love getting to share why I came to ETSU.
“When I came to ETSU, I was looking for a place that really fit, a place where I could be more than just a number, and I could matter. I was really able to find my home here.”
“I was really able to find my home here at ETSU.”
- Matthew Kinsler
Matthew, who has received several ETSU Foundation scholarships, was also looking for a place that was affordable.
“The donor and alumni support have meant the world to me because it’s allowed me to be able to get involved on campus,” he said. “It’s allowed me to actually really plug in and dive deep to make this college experience something that’s worthwhile.”
During his time at ETSU, Matthew has connected with his faculty, discovering opportunities to go beyond the classroom to enrich his education. During his first year, he met Dr. Scott Jenkinson, his Foundations of Education professor in the Clemmer College of Education and Human Development.
“He saw how passionate I was about education and asked me if I wanted to go on a service trip to New Orleans to study youth development and education, and so through that trip, I was able to dig deeper into my passion for education and ignite that into what my next four years at ETSU was going to look like,” Matthew said.
In addition to his work in Admissions and his academics, Matthew’s faith has also been formative to his ETSU experience. He is a leader at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) at ETSU, where he is encouraged to cultivate his “why.”
“In everything I do, I try to live out my faith, and I try to love others as Christ loved us,” Matthew said.
When he graduates in May 2025, Matthew will become a member of the ETSU 1911 Society. Named in commemoration of the year when ETSU was founded, the 1911 Society recognizes the university’s most notable graduates from undergraduate, graduate and professional programs.
Take Your Next Step
Stay in Touch
Follow ETSU on Social