Matthew Nii, '11

When the time came for Matthew Nii ’11 to select a graduate program, he couldn’t deny that Graceland gave him a taste for the personalized education a smaller university can provide.

“My small class sizes at Graceland were a huge advantage. I got a more personalized learning experience which built the foundational knowledge for the Master’s that I'm currently pursuing,” said Matthew.

Matthew, a third generation Gracelander, was an Economics and Communications double major with a minor in Political Science. He served as a Student Senate Representative for two years before becoming Speaker of the Senate. Nii also was an active member of the Honors program, winning the award for Senior Honors Seminar Best Paper and presenting his scholarly material at the Upper Midwest Honors Conference two years in a row.

After winning the Area Contribution award for the Economics department in 2011, Nii gained acceptance to Claremont Graduate University, where is currently pursing a Master's in Economics.

“I learned just as much outside of the classroom as I did
inside the classroom.”

“He is a driven person,” said Steve Anders, C.H. Sandage School of Business Dean. “He would perform at a high level no matter what institution he was enrolled in.”

While Matthew cited Graceland’s classes as giving him the academic credentials for Claremont, he also said Graceland has made him a more whole person. With GU creating opportunities to participate in theatre and orchestra, experience a winter term in London, have an internship with the Carlyle Group in Washington DC, and an internship with Outreach International in Independence, MO, the university helped transform Matthew’s world view.

“I learned just as much outside of the classroom as I did inside the classroom. I learned the importance of being balanced and well-rounded in my personal and professional lives,” said Matthew.

After completing his Master's degree in May of 2013, Nii is contemplating careers in economic consulting or investment. Eventually, he plans to return to higher education for a PhD.

Division of Humanities, Economics, Communications