Brielle DeMatteo

Graduate Program Coordinator

first-generation students; access and persistence; student development; college experiences for underrepresented groups

Brielle DeMatteo is the current Senior Graduate Program Coordinator in the Department of Criminology, Law and Society. Prior to beginning her career in higher education, Brielle worked for non-profit organizations with a focus on youth development and therapeutic wilderness rehabilitation. Her career experiences include administrative duties, program and event planning/management, and outdoor education, challenge course, and teambuilding facilitation.

Brielle completed the MA in Higher Education and Student Development program and is a current doctoral student in the PhD in Education program, both at George Mason. Broadly, her research interests include first-generation students, access and persistence, student development, and college experiences for underrepresented groups.

As a requirement for the MA program, Brielle completed a semester-long practicum with FirstGen Forward (formerly the Center for First-Generation Student Success) where she worked on various projects designed to support first-generation students across a variety of institutional types. She is a member of NASPA and ACPA.

Brielle served for 10+ years in the United States Navy Reserves. Her hobbies include baking, reading, and traveling.

Courses Taught

CHSS 101: Intro to CHSS - Fall 2021, Fall 2022

UNIV 421: College to Graduate School - Fall 2022, Spring 2023

Education

PhD, Education with concentration in Higher Education, George Mason University (in progress)

MA, Higher Education and Student Development, George Mason University (2021)

BA, Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in organizational leadership & family and human development, Arizona State University (2017)