Making it "Worth It:" Matt Quinn '02 Gives Back What He Was Given

Matthew Quinn '02 is from a family of Huskies. In fact, his earliest memories of Bloom are from the age of eight when he went to work with his dad who worked in the administration building. His sister went to Bloomsburg. He met his wife, Autumn Quinn '02 in a computer science class. His college roommate is still his best friend. Most recently, one of his nephews graduated from Bloomsburg, and another just finished his second year.

Although Quinn was accepted to Carnegie Melon's Software Engineering program, in the end Bloomsburg was familiar, comfortable, and most importantly, affordable. He enrolled as a computer science major and worked the technology help desk to make extra money. Through the professional skillset and the connections he gained as a student employee, Quinn secured an internship at DuPont in the Executive IT Office. Later, he was hired at Raytheon where he worked side by side with grads from Carnegie Melon. He then spent nearly twenty years at Penn State University before leaving to take over and lead Data Machines, a data analytics company in Northern Virginia.

Quinn became an alumni volunteer early post-graduation when a former professor invited him to participate on a computer science alumni panel during the Pathways in Science and Technology Conference and COST Research Day. Professional U events like those create situations where alumni can interact with students and offer advice on post-grad life and professionalism, as well as resume critiques.

"The students are very capable, but the first time you write a resume, you have no idea what you're doing," explained Quinn. "I saw a lot of eagerness and excitement to demonstrate skills and learn."

Quinn came out of those interactions not only feeling good about the kinds of grads that Bloomsburg produces, but also with new professional connections of fellow alumni, and a better idea of how the industry can adjust to a generation of digital natives. So, when he was asked to return, he readily accepted and did so many times over the next two decades. As his professional wisdom grew, his volunteer role evolved, and he accepted a position on the College of Health, Science and Technology (COHST) Advisory Board, serving as the inaugural Chairman. The board is made up of community leaders from all different science majors and class years, from cyber security to nursing, who advise the Dean of the college in real-world applications of the academic curriculum. And while the focus areas of the board are not yet solidified, one potential focus is retaining the affordability that brought Quinn to Bloomsburg.

"We're all trying to figure out how to shape the relationship between industry and the college," explained Quinn. "Access is going down as costs are going up, and long-term affordability is at risk. We think we can offer ideas in these areas."

Quinn also finds the perspective of being on a board, rather than being the CEO with a board, refreshing.

"It's fun to have a board and also be part of a board," laughed Quinn. "It has been an amazing 360 view and has been fun and interesting."

Quinn says that Bloomsburg is doing an excellent job of providing a foundational skillset to students, despite the wide variety of career paths and professional roles one can choose in the Computer Science industry. He finds that alumni mentorship greatly assists in helping students narrow their focus and sharpen their skillset and, for him, it is a very rewarding process.

"Bloom students have a lot of grit," explained Quinn. " I like watching them grow, and it's a big part of why I volunteer," "Somewhere in my life I realized I need to be a good mentor for others, and I give because I have been given so much."

One of those students was Brian Martin, a 2023 grad whom Quinn met at a career panel when Martin was still a student.

"He reached out after a panel, we kept in touch, he interviewed, and he's been here two years," said Quinn, who was on Capitol Hill last month negotiating a Department of Defense contract.

And how does it make him feel when he considers that he could have gone to CMU?

"It is kind of surreal. Like, 'How did I get here from Bloomsburg'"? But in time, grit and a good work ethic supersedes the degree. Regardless of what the institution is on the diploma, if you go to class and learn or if you're not studying, you eventually get out what you put in. Make your degree worth it."

Make the degree worth it AND then help the next generation do the same.

"Try it, it's fun," said Quinn. "Volunteering enables the next generation to help the community that you're involved in. You're influencing your own future."

If you are interested in becoming an alumni volunteer, please let us know!