Venesa Garanzuay Matthews, M.A. is the Learning Specialist on the Academic Support team at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM). She graduated from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Arts in Communication Studies. Since then, her career has led her to wide-ranging experience in higher education as well as the non-profit sector. She began her professional career at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. She went on to work in Southern California as well, but San Antonio will always be home, and is where most of her work in the college setting has been.
Key positions at Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio College, and University of Texas at San Antonio equipped Ms. Matthews to take on her role at UIWSOM. As a student success coach, she supported undergraduate and graduate-level students towards their academic, career, and personal goals. As an academic development course lecturer, she taught students skills in time management, study strategies, and exam preparation. As an academic advisor and advising team lead, she worked extensively in academic and career advising where most of the students she served were pursuing health professions degrees. During her time as an advising team lead, she was a recipient of the 2016 Excellence Award from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) and obtained a master advisor certification through the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL).
Ms. Matthews joined UIWSOM in July 2019 and feels honored to work daily with DO and MBS learners as they strive to achieve success in an academic environment unlike any they have ever experienced.
- M.A. in Communication Studies, St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas
- B.A. in Sociology, St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas