Todd Matteson was always inspired and encouraged by his parents and grandparents to succeed early in life. He graduated in the top five percent of his class, and he knew he wanted something bigger and better in life.

As a first-gen student, everything about college was new. “I was just a small-town boy looking for a campus to fit in,” Todd remarked. “Meeting so many students from different towns, states, and countries opened my eyes to what the world was really like.” Todd had to adjust to the more difficult curriculum in college, but he worked hard to read and study, and he loved the late nights working in the art studio.

Todd's first two years in college were spend as an undeclared major, and he encourages current students to feel okay with that if it's their path too. “It's okay not to know what you want to do,” he says. “Get to know other students. Work closely with your faculty. Do your best. Things will happen that will make sense in the end.”