Professor Matthew Wawrzynski has been named a Senior Scholar Diplomate by the American College Personnel Association (ACPA). Since 1984, the ACPA Senior Scholars Program has recognized distinguished scholars and practitioners in student affairs and higher education who have demonstrated exemplary and sustained contributions to research, mentorship and professional practice. The Senior Scholar Diplomate distinction is awarded to scholars who have actively engaged with ACPA throughout their term, reinforcing their commitment to advancing the field.
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate Dr. Wawrzynski’s recognition as an ACPA Senior Scholar Diplomate,” said Sheneka Williams, chairperson of the Department of Educational Administration. “His selection reflects a career marked by groundbreaking research, influential mentorship and a strong dedication to advancing student learning and development in higher education.”
As a Senior Scholar the past five years, Wawrzynski joined an elite group of scholars to help advance ACPA’s mission by integrating research into student affairs practice, fostering equity and inclusion in higher education and identifying critical issues for scholarly inquiry.
Also in the role, Wawrzynski engaged in scholarship and worked to mentor emerging scholars who presented research at ACPA’s national convention and integrated scholarship into student affairs practice. In his last two years as a Senior Scholar, who was a co-convener of his fellow Senior Scholars who sought to identify critical issues in higher education, advocate for evidence-based solutions and contribute to policy discussions that impact the field.
As a Senior Scholar Diplomat, Wawrzynski will continue to be involved with Senior Scholar activities and mentor as needed. His research centers on the impact of college environments and cocurricular experiences on student learning and development. He investigates how factors such as non-cognitive variables, student expectations and environmental elements like living-learning communities and peer education programs influence student outcomes, including engagement and personal development.
In 2024, Wawrzynski secured a grant to establish sustainable support systems for LGBTQI+ students at Mozambique’s Eduardo Mondlane University. Also In 2024, he received additional funding to expand the career development centers to other higher education institutions in Mozambique. Previously, in 2021, he received funding to develop career development centers across higher education institutions, expanding opportunities for student success.