Matt Nazario-Miller ’15: From the Foghorn to Stanford
Matt Nazario-Miller ’15 remembers stepping onto the Hilltop years ago. He was ecstatic about beginning a new chapter in his life. The promise of forming connections, engaging in club activities — the tight-knit, walkable nature of USF campus living — all excited him. Little did he know, these opportunities would shape the path of his professional career.
Nazario-Miller wasted no time getting involved in campus life. He began contributing to the San Francisco Foghorn, serving as a resident assistant, working as a photographer for the School of Management, and managing social media for the Office of Marketing Communications.
Although he was actively involved and taking advantage of opportunities, he often worried about affording his education. “Every semester, I gave it my all as if it was my last because I didn’t know if it would be my last,” said Nazario-Miller. Despite the uncertainty, he persevered and successfully graduated with a bachelor’s degree in media studies.
A Home in Education
Nazario-Miller recognizes that his Jesuit education, at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels, laid a sound foundation for his career, particularly by teaching him how to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the education sector.
While pursuing his master’s degree at Seattle University, Nazario-Miller came to a realization: he wanted to apply his skills in marketing and communications to the field of education. He subsequently secured a full-time position managing the university’s social media accounts. Through this role, he developed a greater understanding of himself.
“What drives me is a sense of mission and opportunity to make a positive impact in the world,” said Nazario-Miller. “Education feels like my professional home and I take pride in being connected to school communities throughout my career.”
Community as a Life Line
Even with a clear goal in mind, things aren’t always simple. Nazario-Miller’s career took a turn when he began working face-to-face with K-12 students. Just three weeks after transitioning into the role, the COVID-19 lockdown presented extraordinary challenges. He struggled with the switch from higher education to K-12, especially without a source of guidance for navigating his first director-level position remotely. Faced with the pressures of supporting enrollment goals and managing the uncertainties of the pandemic, he felt overwhelmed.
Reflecting on this period, he reveals that leaning on his network was crucial. Virtual calls with family, friends, and colleagues provided essential support, helping him navigate the complexities of his new role. Through this sense of community, he could adapt to the challenges of an unpredictable chapter in his career and in the world.
Today, Nazario-Miller is back in higher education as a communications manager within University Human Resources at Stanford University. In this role, he serves as the lead relationship manager within talent management, talent acquisition, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
As an alumnus, Nazario-Miller has maintained ties with the USF alumni community by speaking at mixers, sharing his professional journey, and actively participating in events like the Pride Drag Trivia Brunch, and the Latinx Alumni Society Margarita Making Class.
Nazario-Miller advises current students and recent graduates to put themselves out there as much as possible, “USF exposed me to many different teachings and learning experiences that were useful for my future. No matter the experience, even if it’s not linear, every experience at USF counts.”
Are you an alumnus looking to get involved with USF? Learn more about our alumni association to find community, events, and togetherness with like-minded people.
