When he was in college, professor of psychology Mat Gendle faced barriers that made academic success hard for him.
“It’s just something that I’ve never forgotten about and I want to remove those barriers for folks going forward,” Gendle said.
On June 1, Gendle will take on a role that allows him to do just that as he becomes director of Elon’s Odyssey Program, which offers scholarships and expanded opportunities to high-achieving Elon students with high financial need.
Gendle’s appointment isn’t the only change coming to the program; 14 new scholarships donated by trustees Bill and Trish Slattery will bring the program up to almost 300.
Gendle will be the third person to step into the role within the last year, following one director’s termination and the other’s decision to leave the university to pursue her PHD.
Gendle was one of the original faculty members of Elon Academy, a college access program for high school students in Alamance County. He said working with programs that increase college access is not new to him.
“Doing what I can to help ensure access and equity in higher ed has always been important to me,” Gendle said.
Gendle said he plans to focus on community-based learning and advocacy, and wants to use the program’s budget to its fullest to maximize value for the students.
“They’re going to get in me someone who’s going to be completely transparent with them about things, someone who is going to use every waking moment that I have here on this campus to advocate for and support them and somebody who’s going to listen to them,” Gendle said.
Gendle encouraged any Odyssey students who have suggestions for the program to pitch them to him, and said he will try to follow through with the students’ ideas.
“My perspective is always going to be thinking future-forward, thinking positive, listening, providing support and trying to make things happen," Gendle said.