Matt Waffle

Background

About Matt Waffle

I worked two different jobs before going to college. In high school I was part of a couple of clubs including Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) and Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG). My biggest achievement in high school was my Junior year I submitted my essay and there was a contest for whoever the best essay got to go to the Governor's mansion in Jefferson City. My essay ended up getting picked so I got to meet the Governor and my essay is still held in the mansion. I graduated high school in 2020 then went to Saint Louis Community College on the A+ program that I acquired while in high school by; graduating from high school with a 2.5+ GPA, a minimum 95% attendance rate, and at least 50 hours of unpaid tutoring or mentoring. I ended up tutoring Kindergarten and it was quite the experience to say the least. At STLCC, I really just focused on working towards my Associate in Arts degree and then figuring out that I wanted to transfer to Mizzou for Journalism which I decided to apply and thankfully I got accepted. I would then transfer in the Spring 2023 semester. Right away things were different as I had to learn how to be more independent and it forced my hand to make connections and make the most of the situation. That is when I found out about Transfer Experience Advising Mentors or (T.E.A.M.) a university ran organization that caters towards transfer students like myself get adjusted to Mizzou. I would meet my core group of friends from the organization and even my roommates. I loved the experience so that's why I wanted to give back so I decided to apply for the Exec board and I ended up getting the role of the Director of Engagement creating presentations and giving ample resources to students that are in the same shoes that I was. This also taught me leadership and public speaking which I would also volunteer to be a Welcome Week Leader. As for my major, I was undeclared and took a Communications class and really enjoyed and figured out I can do a lot of the same things that I am interested in with a Bachelor's in it. I would then add on two minors, those being Sociology and Journalism as I had already taken some of those classes and enjoyed the subject matter of Sociology and the professionalism of the J-School. Academically I was already in a good state heading into my Senior year but I wanted to bolster my resume so I decided to get plugged into more clubs; like the Maneater writing articles for them and the Mizzou Podcast Network practicing broadcasting something that I have had an interest in while also making connections.