Matthew Hirman

As the Study Away Program Coordinator, Matt Hirman provides advising and support to students as they navigate the process of selecting a program, submitting applications, enrolling in courses, and preparing for their off-campus study experiences. He also contributes to the CICE’s overall mission by developing programming, expanding access, and increasing awareness of study away opportunities across campus. He has a passion for building supportive relationships with students to foster their intercultural development and help them achieve their goals.

Matt came to Gustavus having previously served as a study abroad coordinator at Arizona State University, where he specialized in designing short-term faculty led programs. While pursuing his MA at Bowling Green State University, he worked in the Center for Community and Civic Engagement, a position which included designing and Implementing leadership programming for the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. His work at the Center also involved supporting faculty efforts to implement community based learning courses and collaborating with the International Student Support Office to help international students connect with the local community. Prior to working in higher education, Matt was a special education teacher with elementary and secondary experience. His background in diverse areas of education continues to inform his efforts to provide students with the highest quality study away experiences possible and to integrate those experiences into their personal, professional, and intellectual development.

Matt has a love for travel, adventure, and exploration. While pursuing his BA, he had the opportunity to study abroad in Sweden, Norway, and Mexico. As a graduate student, he took part in a faculty led study tour of higher education institutes in New Zealand and later completed an internship in the study abroad office at a New Zealand university. Here in Minnesota, he enjoys a variety of outdoor pursuits, including canoeing, hiking, hunting, fishing, bird watching, and skiing.