Board Member Spotlight: Matthew O'Malley

Matthew O’Malley (Class of 2010) is a proud Edinboro alumnus whose connection to the university continues through his service on the Edinboro Foundation Board, where he supports student success and strengthens alumni engagement. Professionally, he serves as the Director of Strategic Growth at ISN Corp, leading major federal initiatives in technology, national security, and program modernization. He is also an active member of the Professional Services Council (PSC), serving on both the Annual Conference and Defense Conference Planning Committees and contributing to industry dialogue shaping the future of federal contracting. Matthew and his wife, Kelsey, also an Edinboro graduate, now share campus traditions with their young son (Theodore “Teddy” O’Malley), making Edinboro an enduring part of their family’s story.

Q: What inspired you to come to Edinboro?

A: Edinboro first came onto my radar through Academic Sports League and Academic Decathlon competitions the university hosted while I was in high school. I also attended several soccer tournaments on campus growing up, which gave me an early sense of the energy, community, and comfort of the place. When I later received an excellent scholarship offer, the decision became even clearer.

What truly stood out were the people I met early on — including individuals like Jon Pulice, now the Director of Development for the PennWest Edinboro campus. Jon and his family have been part of my story for years, offering advice, friendship, and encouragement as both of our families have grown. Watching his kids attend and graduate from Edinboro has added a sense of mutual growth and reflection that reinforces how special the Edinboro community is.

Looking back, choosing Edinboro was one of the best decisions I made. The opportunities, mentorship, and relationships I found there shaped both my personal and professional life and continue to have an impact today.

Q: Do you have family with PennWest Edinboro connections?

A: My connection to Edinboro is personal, but my family’s ties extend throughout the larger PennWest system. My wife, Kelsey, is also an Edinboro graduate, and our shared experience there became a meaningful part of our story long before we ever imagined building a family together.

Beyond Edinboro, my great-grandmother, Geraldine Detrie Rodebaugh, graduated from Clarion College in 1942 and went on to become a teacher and eventually a principal — a legacy of education that still inspires us. Today, my sister, Kelly O’Malley (now Beatty), is a middle school STEM teacher pursuing her Master’s degree with PennWest, along with her husband, Brett.

Edinboro has also been the backdrop for many of our biggest family milestones. Kelsey and I met there, met some of our longest held friends there (John Bell, an Edinboro graduate who is my best friend to this day and best man at our wedding), announced our engagement there, held our rehearsal dinner in Pogue, and celebrated our wedding in Goodell Gardens. We announced our first child on campus as well, and we’ve brought our son back for every Homecoming since he was born. In many ways, Edinboro is woven into our family’s history just as much as it is into our personal journeys.

So, while Edinboro is where my academic path began, thePennWest system — and Edinboro in particular — has become a multi-generational thread running through our family’s story.

Q: What were your favorite experiences?

A: My favorite experiences at Edinboro were the every day moments that made campus feel like home — small classes where professors genuinely cared, and friendships formed during long nights of “studying” and debating ideas. Being part of such a tight-knit community, both on and off campus, created moments — serious and not-so-serious — that built a foundation of confidence, curiosity, and lifelong relationships I still carry with me today.

Q: What advice would you give to a current student?

A: Take full advantage of the fact that Edinboro is a place where you can learn safely — not just from books, but from experiences. Say yes to things that challenge you, even when you’re not sure you’re fully ready. Get to know your professors, get involved outside the classroom, and let yourself explore paths you might not have considered. One of Edinboro’s greatest strengths is that it gives you room to try, to stumble, to regroup, and to grow with people who genuinely want to see you succeed. The confidence you build here will follow you long after graduation.

Q: Who was your favorite professor, and how did they influence your career?

A: Maybe surprisingly, not one from classes in my major, but one definitely comes front of mind. Dr. James (Jim) Fisher was certainly one of my most influential professors. The smaller class sizes meant he took the time to really understand his students, and the depth of experience he brought to the classroom helped shape how I think, communicate, and approach complex problems. Those lessons have followed me throughout my career. Now, serving on the Foundation Board, it’s been meaningful to reconnect with faculty like Dr. Fisher and see how their influence continues to grow across the university.

Q: What do you like about being on the EU Foundation Board?

A: Serving on the Foundation Board has been incredibly rewarding. I appreciate being part of a group that is genuinely committed to strengthening the university’s future — whether through scholarships, strategic initiatives, or programs that support student success. It’s especially meaningful to give back to an institution that played such a key role in shaping my own values and direction. Contributing to the opportunities available to future students feels like a natural extension of the support I once received, and an investment in the next generation of Edinboro graduates.

Q: How has your time with the EU Foundation impacted your personal and professional life?

A: My time on the Foundation Board has reinforced the importance of service, community, and staying connected to the places that shaped you. Professionally, it has broadened my network and deepened my understanding of leadership, philanthropy, and stewardship. Personally, it has allowed me to reconnect with memories, mentors, and a campus that still plays a significant role in my family’s story. Giving back through the Foundation feels like coming full circle — honoring the support I received while helping create opportunities for the next generation who will go on to build their own stories.

‍

Stay tuned for future board member spotlights.