Matt Newlin, Ed.D.
Matt Newlin, Ed.D.
Founder and Principal, Matt Newlin Consulting
Speaker Travels From
Missouri
Matt is available for in-person and virtual engagements! Contact us today.
Speaker Bio
Dr. Matt Newlin is a nationally recognized scholar, speaker, and advocate dedicated to advancing postsecondary equity for first-generation, low-income, and rural students. A proud first-generation graduate from a working-class background, Dr. Newlin brings more than 18 years of experience in higher education, student success, and policy advocacy. His work focuses on dismantling systemic barriers in postsecondary education and ensuring all students—regardless of background—have equitable access to college opportunities and career pathways. Dr. Newlin currently serves as Senior Education Designer, Rural Initiatives at Education Design Lab, where he leads efforts to improve college and workforce outcomes for rural learners. He is also the founder and principal of Matt Newlin Consulting, partnering with institutions and organizations to develop student-centered policies and programs that support underrepresented learners. In addition, he is an adjunct faculty member in East Carolina University’s counselor education program and the creator and host of The Rural College Student Experience podcast, now in its third season, which amplifies the voices of rural students and higher education professionals. Dr. Newlin has extensive experience working in student affairs and enrollment management at both public and private universities. As Director of Rural Initiatives at College Advising Corps, he worked to increase postsecondary enrollment for students from rural and small-town communities. At Washington University in St. Louis' Brown School of Social Work, he established the school’s first need-based scholarship, a first-generation student support program, and financial literacy initiatives. Previously, he worked in financial aid at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, developing workshops to educate first-generation and low-income students and families on college affordability and the transition to higher education. As a sought-after consultant and speaker, Dr. Newlin has partnered with Harvard’s National Center for Rural Education Research Networks (NCRERN), NASPA’s Center for First-generation Student Success, Education Design Lab, U-Thrive Educational Services, the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD), the National Student Employment Association (NSEA), State Technical College of Missouri, and more. His expertise in policy, student success programming, and rural student advocacy has made him a key voice in national conversations on college access and equity. In recognition of his leadership, Dr. Newlin was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, where he continues to advocate for equitable financial aid policies and student support. Dr. Newlin holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Maryville University, an M.Ed. in Higher Education from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, and two B.A. degrees (Communication and English) from the University of Missouri–Columbia. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with his wife and two amazing dogs.
Speaker Topics
| Rural Student College Access & Success
Understanding the institutional barriers faced by students from rural communities; identifying strategies to increase access and success; becoming “rural student ready.” |
Socioeconomic Diversity & Inclusion
Recognizing the inequitable opportunities for low-income and working-class students; developing effective programs, support networks, and institutional investment. |
|---|---|
| Loan Borrowing & Student Debt
Exploring disparities in student borrowing and loan default rates for first-generation, low-income students; creating practices that better educate underserved students. |
Financial Literacy
Understanding the lack of financial awareness for first-generation and low-income students; creating educational programming; establishing a “money smart” campus |
| First-Generation Graduate & Professional Students
Developing support programs for a growing population; identifying population-specific resources; building campus-wide partnerships. |
Books, News, & Media
Books, News, & Media
Peer-reviewed Journal Articles
- Crain, A. & Newlin, M. (2020). Rural first-generation students: A practical reflection on urbanormative ideology. Journal of First-generation Student Success, 1(1), 57-69.
Book Chapters
- Newlin, M. & Brown, A. (In press). First-generation students in service learning programs: An exploration of institutional support practices. In Bowhay, V. (Ed.), The proper role of higher education in a democratic society. IGI Global.
- Dykema Erb, M., Newlin, M., & Wood, K. (In press). A DEI approach to graduate student access and outcomes. In Shepard, V. & Perry, A. (Eds.), A practitioner’s guide to supporting graduate and professional students. Routledge.
Featured Media
- Hou, F. (2023, March). Part-time worker, part-time student: How colleges can support students with jobs. LinkedIn’s The Finishing Line.
- Niedan, C. (2023, February). Giving a voice to America’s overlooked students. College Board’s The Elective.
- Mayer, B.A. (2020, December). Why College Students Around the Country are Going on Tuition Strikes. Parents Magazine.
- Kerr, E. (2019, August). States Require the FAFSA for High School Seniors. U.S. News & World Report.
- Kerr, E. (2019, March). What EFC Is and How it Relates to Paying for College. U.S. News & World Report.
- Lloyd, T. (2013, November). Rising Student Debt Could Be An Economic Drag. St. Louis Public Radio.
- SA: Voices from the Field, Episode 17. Considering and choosing a student affairs based graduate program. NASPA Podcast.
Invited Speaking Engagements
- Daugherty, L., Newlin, M., & Swords Kalk, M. (2022). Collectively designing a rural education community of practice. Presented for the Rural College Access and Success Summit.
- Newlin, M. (2022). Working with first-generation students and students in rural communities. Presented for Missouri Association of College Admissions Counseling.
- Newlin, M. (2022). Host/Emcee for 2022 Equity Summit presented by Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.
- Newlin, M. (2021). First-generation students and campus employment. Presented for National Student Employment Association 2021 Virtual National Conference.
- Sweeten-Lopez, O., Moseley, J., & Newlin, M. (2021). Minimizing pandemic disruptions to higher education enrollment. Moderated for Hunt Institute Missouri Legislators Retreat, Jefferson City, Missouri.
- Newlin, M. (2021). Not a monolith: Exploring the identities of first-generation rural students. Presented for Class Action First Gen Virtual Summit.
- Copeland, K., Diskin, B., Findley, M., Mitchell, A., Moore, R., & Newlin, M. (2021). Financial aid experts panel. Participant for 2021 Equity in Missouri Higher Education Virtual Summit.
- Newlin, M. (January 2021). Invited Speaker. Geography and access: Rural student college enrollment. Missouri Higher Education Bridges to Success web series.
- Newlin, M. (December 2020). Keynote Speaker. When equal isn’t equitable: Understanding students’ social capital. State Technical College of Missouri 2020 Professional Development Institute, Linn, MO.
- Newlin, M., Garcia Peraza, P., & Wagner, L. (November 2020). Invited Speaker. Supporting first-gen graduate students in uncertain times. 2020 University of California System First-Generation Virtual Symposium.
- Newlin, M. & Wyatt, C. (July 2020). Invited Speaker. Building a pipeline of rural higher education students: A discussion with practitioners. Hunt Institute & Illinois Lieutenant Governor’s Office.
- Clency, S., Lowery, K., Newlin, M., & Wagner, L. (September 2020). Invited Speaker. Where are we now?: Supporting first-generation students through a national crisis. 2020 NASPA Virtual Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education.
- Alderson, A., Erb, M., Jehangir, R., & Newlin, M. (June 2020). Invited Speaker for Pre-Conference Workshop. First-gen graduate and professional students: We’ve identified them, now how do we support them? 2020 NASPA Virtual Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education.
- Newlin, M. & Seldin, A. (May 2020). Invited Speaker. Demystifying the FAFSA appeals process. ACT Equity webinar.
- Clency, S., Lowery, K., Newlin, M., & Wagner, L. (March 2020). Invited Speaker. A critical response: Supporting first-generation students through a national crisis. Center for First-generation Student Success, 2020 NASPA Virtual Highlights.
- Alderson, A., Erb, M., & Newlin, M. (December 2019). Invited Speaker. Creating support resources for first-generation graduate and professional students. Center for First-generation Student Success, Center Online Learning (Live Briefing), NASPA.
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