At just 16, Matt Heiser found himself in the back of an ambulance, responding to emergencies in his hometown of Bethlehem, Penn.
As a volunteer EMT, he faced life-and-death situations long before most teenagers even had their driver’s licenses, and, as a result, “I had to grow up really fast,” he said.
A longtime Boy Scout, Heiser first learned about and practiced first aid with the organization and grew up in a household where half of his family were also volunteer EMTs, a consequence of life in a small town.
For Heiser, who called himself a “quiet, rule-follower” as a kid, putting himself on the frontlines of helping people when they were most vulnerable was a transformative experience. It pushed him out of his comfort zone and prepared him to handle crises while instilling many valuable lessons that he now brings to his new role as Endicott’s new Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students.
“The experience taught me about being actively involved in the community and practicing leadership by serving others,” he said.
Building a career in Student Affairs
Heiser’s path to higher education leadership was anything but conventional. Initially set on becoming a physician, he enrolled at Gettysburg College as a biology major but soon realized the coursework—particularly the math—wasn’t the right fit.
“I wasn't prepared for what it actually meant to get a bachelor's degree and prepare for that trajectory,” he admitted.
Like many students, he changed majors, pivoting to environmental studies to become a science educator or park ranger. However, his deep involvement in campus life—serving as an RA, an orientation leader, a member of Greek life, and even working for campus public safety—ultimately set him on the path to student affairs.
Ironically, Heiser’s first encounter with student conduct came as a first-year student when he was written up for violating quiet hours. What might have been a routine disciplinary action instead became an a-ha moment—but not before Heiser put up a fight.
“I was deflective of my behavior. I was like, ‘Well, you can't prove that I was loud,’” he said, laughing at his former defiance. “I really was apprehensive about being held accountable.”
Worried about how the infraction might affect his work-study job with public safety, he took his assigned essay on quiet hours and community impact seriously. The process sparked a shift in perspective.
“My area coordinator followed up and said, ‘Hey, I think you really took this seriously. I’m going to nominate you to become an RA. You should consider applying,’” he recalled. “I ended up applying, and I loved my experience.”
That pivotal moment led Heiser to reflect on the importance of accountability and empathy in guiding students. “This idea that it’s really about a decision or a choice that someone makes,” said Heiser, “we’re here to review that with them, not to pass judgment, but to offer empathy. I try to hold that balance of accountability and empathy with students and staff too, as much as possible. One moment doesn’t define a person. Great things can come from that.”
For three years, Heiser served as an RA, always in first-year buildings and Living Learning Communities (which impacted him as a student and which he helped bring to Endicott), where he could help students navigate the challenges of college life. That experience ignited his passion for fostering inclusive and supportive campus communities, which continues to drive him today.
After graduating, Heiser took his first full-time higher education role as a community college residence director. Encouraged by mentors, he pursued an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration at Suffolk University and later earned an Ed.D. from Northeastern University. Along the way, he held various roles at MIT, Wentworth Institute of Technology, and, ultimately, Endicott, where he arrived in May 2021—always guided by a commitment to student support, engagement, and community-building.
Heiser joined the Endicott community in 2021, when the campus was emerging to post-pandemic life. The new Director of Residence Life role set him on a path that would eventually intersect with his former Wentworth colleague, Marlin Nabors, who served as Endicott’s Dean of Students before joining the University of Pittsburgh in late 2024.
“I was drawn to Endicott because of the strong sense of community and the enthusiasm of students and staff alike to innovate and thrive, as well as the sense of care I immediately felt,” said Heiser.
A student-centered approach
Now, weeks into his new position, Heiser is focused on expanding student opportunities while maintaining direct oversight of key areas, including the Wellness Center, Residence Life, Student Transitions & Family Programs, Community Service, Student Engagement, and Community Standards.
“I want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to create an environment where students feel supported and empowered,” he said. “That means looking at how we structure our teams, connect with students, and foster meaningful involvement.”
“Matt’s dedication to fostering meaningful connections with students will be instrumental in advancing the Division of Student Affairs,” said Alyssa Cashman, Senior Associate Director of Residence Life. “He thrives on engaging with students, actively participating in their campus experiences, and building relationships that reflect the core mission of our work. His approach is a powerful reminder of the purpose behind our efforts to create a well-rounded student experience.”
As a first-generation college student, Heiser is especially committed to supporting other first-generation college students. Even small details matter to him. While sitting in an optometrist’s waiting room recently, he found himself critiquing the office’s signage and immediately wondering: Is the Lower Callahan signage doing enough to reach first-gen students?
“We are absolutely going to bring about a lot of environmental changes to be more student-centered, especially for first-gen students,” he said. “From a programmatic standpoint, we’re going to focus on our first-year students overall—both creating new initiatives in Student Affairs and enhancing existing ones to ensure students know who to turn to for support.”
Heiser is eager to redefine the traditional Student Affairs office, aligning his vision with Endicott’s experiential mission.
“There are several ways to define experiential learning, but at its core, it’s about the connections we create,” he explained. “I want us to build on our strengths—being accessible and connected to students, providing opportunities to innovate and evolve … We’re not going to be a division that just sits in our offices. We’re going to be out there, engaging with students.”
That passion for people and connection “will empower students to grow and create an environment where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally,” said nursing major Raquel Azevedo, ’27. “Having him as the dean will help students navigate their college journey with confidence and purpose. Matt brings such a light to campus and has truly made such a positive impact on myself and many others.”
Beyond student life, Heiser also thrives in the classroom. In addition to his administrative role, he teaches doctoral courses in the School of Education and an undergraduate Leadership Theory and Practice course in the Honors Program.
“I love connecting with students and diving into meaningful discussions about leadership—challenging students to deconstruct and explore the question, ‘Who can lead?’ It’s inspiring to watch them realize their own leadership potential and make connections between what they’re learning and their future careers.”
With Heiser at the helm, Student Affairs at Endicott is poised to create an environment where students don’t just attend college but truly experience it. That’s done by ensuring every student, whether an athlete, performer, student leader, or an RA, has a defining moment that shapes their Endicott experience.
“That distinct, culminating experience—that’s something we in Student Affairs are excited about and will continue to expand,” he said.