Matt Daily

A huge part of the work that Student Affairs does is around engaging with students, valuing their voice, and implementing their needs and opinions into the student experience. This is placed front and center in the work of Matt Daily, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students at Idaho State University, who puts a huge focus on putting students first.

Matt sat down with Jack Eagle, Co-Host of The Interview, to discuss his journey to his current role, the importance of the student voice, and how he creates a sense of belonging.

Matt’s Journey

Jack: Let’s start with an introduction to your current role and institution.

My name is Matt Daily, and I am the AVP and Dean of Students at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho. I’ve been in this role for about a year and a half, coming up on two years. Before that, I worked at the University of Portland in Oregon, where I focused on designing programs and support systems for first-generation college students – those who are the first in their families to earn a four-year degree. Overall, I’ve been in Higher Education (HE) for 26 years, working across athletics, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs. My background is quite varied, and I like to joke that I’ve taught students from preschool all the way through college, which has given me a unique perspective on education.

Jack: How did you get from teaching preschool into HE? What was that journey like?

It’s funny because that part of my journey was somewhat unexpected. While I was in college, I worked in athletics and simultaneously taught at a Catholic school in the Portland area. I was an English major, but they asked if I’d be willing to teach PE due to my athletic background. So, I found myself teaching preschool through eighth-grade PE. People would often say, "How can you teach PE? It must be so hard and noisy!" But what I loved about it was that every day, students were excited to come to class, always eager to know what game we’d be playing. That enthusiasm really motivated me to give my best for them.

Jack: Student Affairs work in the US right now is heavily focused on creating a sense of belonging. How do you engage with students on that?

Engagement is definitely a challenge. I often joke that I know the tops of students’ heads better than their faces because they’re always looking at their phones. But I think it’s important not to be dismissive of students and assume they don’t want to engage in meaningful conversations.

One interesting distinction I think about a lot is the difference between students feeling like they belong and students feeling like they matter. Those are two very different things. A student can feel like they belong to an institution, but do they feel like they truly matter to it? That distinction is critical, yet it’s not often talked about.

To foster belonging, I focus on being genuinely invitational with students. When I first arrived, I made it clear that my door was open – not just metaphorically, but in real ways. While I may not always be available on the spot, I set aside time to meet with students and discuss critical topics. I want them to know that their Dean cares enough to listen. That trust-building is essential, and it’s my responsibility to drive that engagement rather than expecting students to initiate it.

‍Jack: Are there any other big focus areas for you at the moment?

One of the biggest topics on my mind is unification. We’re in an interesting moment in the United States politically, and those national conversations trickle down to our campuses. Many people feel disconnected and disunified, and that challenge is something we’re actively grappling with at Idaho State.

Idaho is a unique state. Every state has its own culture and context, and Idaho is different from California, Oregon, or Washington, D.C. As a state institution, we answer to the governor and the Board of Education, which adds another layer to our responsibilities. Trying to foster a unified, positive campus climate is especially complex because ISU has three campuses across different parts of the state. My background in private institutions has pushed me to rethink how we talk about unity from a distance. It’s an ongoing challenge, but an important one.

Jack: That relates a lot to speaking across difference – which must be particularly challenging with multiple campuses. How do you navigate that?

As someone newer to this role, I believe that investing time in people is key. Creating spaces for civil discourse is essential. That could mean attending a bingo night – which, funnily enough, is a huge event on our campus – or showing up at football games with my family. It could also mean traveling to our other campuses and making sure people there feel heard and valued.

Given the recent political shifts, we’ve had to be very intentional about taking the temperature of our campus communities. But my guiding principle remains the same: what is best for the student? If we’re truly focused on their needs, we can find ways to foster connection and solve dilemmas effectively.

Jack: How do you leverage a peer-led approach in your initiatives?

The student voice is critical in HE. One thing I’ve noticed is that students don’t always realize how powerful their voices can be. When shared constructively, they can drive real change.

A great example of this happened last week. Students organized a march on campus to express concerns about political issues and how diversity is being addressed at the national level. We met with them beforehand to discuss how to make their demonstration effective and ensure they felt supported. Our public safety department also worked with us to provide guidance. The students felt empowered, knowing they could express themselves in a safe and impactful way.

Similarly, we’re currently in student government election season. The debates are entirely student-led, and I love seeing them take ownership of these discussions. My role is to empower students, help them build confidence, and reinforce that their voices matter.

Jack: What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve received?

There's something that's very authentic and important about investing in people.  If there's a conversation that a student really wants to have, allow the time to have it and invest the time to be a listener – even if they just want to come in and speak to somebody. If you're going to invest something, invest time in people whether that’s students or faculty.