Meet the Team

Meet Jen Matzke

College Success Coach

Jennifer Sell Matzke has always had a passion for helping college students achieve their dreams and overcome barriers.  As a college student herself at St. Cloud State University, she served as a resident advisor (RA) for three years before graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. A mentor encouraged her to capitalize on her experience and pivot to a career in higher education. She has previously worked within the University of Wisconsin system, and at St. Catherine University, where she completed a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership before returning to St. Cloud State University as an employee. With the support of Next Monday, Jen is translating her 25+ years of experience in higher education into a coaching practice designed to help your student succeed!

Jen is uniquely qualified to serve as an independent college success coach. During her extensive career in higher education, she has served in the following roles: Residence Hall Director, Academic Advisor, Assistant Director of Orientation, Director of Residence Life, Assistant Dean of Students, Health Promotion and Prevention Director, Associate Dean of Students, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, and most recently Dean of Students.  Additionally, she has supervised the following campus departments: Campus Involvement (which includes student organizations and Greek life), Campus Engagement & Volunteer Services, and the Office of Community Standards (often known as “Student Conduct”). A career highlight for Jen includes the opportunity to provide leadership for St. Cloud State University’s Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Programs and Services. She was instrumental in the development and implementation of the St. Cloud State University Recovery Community, a program providing a path to college success for students in recovery from substance dependence disorder.  She now serves as a member of the SCSU Recovery Community Advisory Council and is a passionate advocate and supporter of the SCSU Recovery Resource Center.

Jen is well recognized within higher education for developing evidence-based programs that positively impact student success. In 2022 she received the Venerable Order of Talbot award from the St. Cloud Recovery Community Network.  In 2017, she was a recipient of the Minnesota State System Innovative Student Affairs Program Award for the St. Cloud Impact/Diversion Program, that same year she also received the SCSU Alumni University Leadership Award. In 2013, she and her team were awarded the MADD MN Environmental Strategy Prevention Award. Due to her knowledge and expertise, Jen was asked to serve as a Technical Consultant for the MN Strategic Prevention Framework Partnerships for Success Grant from 2014-2016.  She also served as a co-chair for the Minnesota Department of Health Student Life Covid-19 Planning Workgroup in 2021. Jen has also received the numerous grants including an Otto Bremer Foundation Grant, a Wheelock Whitney Grant, an NCAA CHOICES Grant, and a Stacy Mathews Foundation Grant. 

When not working to support college students and their families, Jen enjoys exploring with her family: Bret, also an alum of SCSU, who is currently a Captain at Southwest Airlines, and her two children. She also loves cuddling with her dog, Rosey, trying new recipes, and watching reruns of The Office and Parks & Rec.

Coaching Experience:

Jen is a highly experienced college success coach with a deep passion for helping students overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams. With over 25 years of experience in higher education, Jen brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her coaching practice. As a Certified Gallup Strengths Coach and member of the International Coaching Federation, Jen is dedicated to providing personalized support to students in areas such as college transitions, social connections, barrier overcoming, and early career transition. With her practical, supportive, and nonjudgmental approach, Jen is committed to helping students thrive academically and personally.

“Real World” Experience:

Jen has an extensive and diverse work experience in higher education. Her background includes various roles within the university system, including Dean of Students, Health Promotion and Prevention Director, and Deputy Title IX Coordinator. Jen is well-known for developing evidence-based programs that positively impact student success, and she has received several awards and grants for her outstanding work.

A Few Fun Things About Me: 

Favorite Word: Flourish! It’s a word that captures the essence of empowerment, growth, and personal development that I hope to provide my clients. I want to help my clients thrive, blossom, and reach their full potential. The word “flourish” is active and conveys a sense of progress, success, and finding fulfillment in various aspects of life, including academics, relationships, career, and personal well-being. 

Favorite Foods: Ice Cream and Sushi. I don’t eat them together, but I love them independently. Each offers so many flavors to choose from! I love trying new flavors of ice cream but I also sometimes just want a bowl of vanilla bean. Sushi is a rainbow of flavors as well, but don’t give me sushi with cream cheese in it.

Favorite Free Time Activities: I love spending time with my family, taking my dog, Rosey for walks and playing board games. My hobby is upcycling discarded materials into lamps and I also love crafting, cooking and reading. I usually always have the TV on in the background and it’s almost always re-runs of “The Office” or “Parks and Recreation.”

Best Part of My Job: Helping people discover their inner-wisdom and knowledge and learn to lean into it and trust it. I love empowering people to be bold and dare greatly. Who are you to hold yourself back from letting yourself achieve your dreams?  

Advice for my 22-Year-Old Self: Embrace the journey. Success is not a destination but a continuous process. Embrace the ups and downs, prioritize time for self-care, celebrate small victories along the way, and learn from any setbacks or failures. Enjoy the present moment and find gratitude for the experiences and opportunities that come your way. When things don’t go our way or unanticipated things happen, we often learn the most.