Photo courtesy of: Matt MateraMatt Matera will speak on Jan. 31 about immigration and education.

The Patton College of Education is hosting its bi-annual Violet Patton Lecture Series on Thursday, Jan. 31. The featured speaker is Matt Matera, an expert in immigration and education practices.

Matera's presentation is titled, “Pushing them out: How immigration and education practices impact undocumented students and their families.” The event is 11:45-1:30 in McCracken Hall 232 and includes lunch. It is open to the University.

Since 2003, Matt Matera has been actively involved with education and college access issues as a facilitator, program coordinator, and volunteer with education, faith-based, TRiO, and non-profit institutions.  He is a co-founder of ScholarshipsA-Z and the University of Arizona’s Immigrant Student Resource Center, an organization and center dedicated to making education accessible to all students, regardless of their immigration status. 

Matt works with and for students who are undocumented, have DACA, and/or come from mixed-status families to create resources and new pathways for students to attain their education goals. Matt is a doctoral candidate in the University of Arizona’s Educational Policy Studies & Practice program and holds a Master of Arts degree in Higher Education & College Student Personnel from the same institution.

This particular topic is relevant to educators and advisors working with students who are immigrants. The Patton College encourages anyone interested in current immigration issues to attend.