UVa Credential Makes Three Degrees for Mathey
Geri Mathey had many aspirations early on but College was not on the radar. Born and raised in Japan, where her father worked as a civil servant at Army Camp Zama, she was doubtful about her aptitude in her teens.
"I remember when I was in high school, I had no desire to go to college. I didn't think I was smart enough, wise enough or intelligent enough to go to college ... many years later I popped in a seat and listened to somebody give a lecture on American literature," said Mathey, administrative assistant to Thomas Nelson's vice president of Finance and Administration.
Experiencing that lecture fueled her quest for higher education. Fast forward to 2022 and today she has three degrees. Her newest is a bachelor's in interdisciplinary studies in liberal arts from the University of Virginia.
With an associate degree in social science (2009) and another in paralegal studies (2017) from Thomas Nelson under her belt, she enrolled in the university's Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies program and spent four years balancing school, a full-time job, and her home life. Mathey adapted despite how challenging the schedule was at times.
"I took advantage of my lunch hour (reading textbooks or researching for papers) and then my weekends were basically spent studying, reading and writing," she said, pointing out that virtual classes were a plus because commuting was not ideal.
Mathey received her degree in December. Now she is now prepping for the in-person graduation ceremony slated for May 21at UVa. But, she said, the university indicates that plans could change depending upon COVID.
"I plan to go up there," she said enthusiastically. "It'll be my third trip up to Charlottesville and I'm really hoping they do have it because I'd love to participate in the ceremony."
An avid reader, Mathey is glad she changed her perspective about higher education and attributes it to a famous quote she happened upon, "If you're not learning every day, you're dying every day." She also credits the support and encouragement she received from three former college leaders - a president, vice president and an associate vice president - all of whom she has worked for since joining the College in 2005.
She has been in her current position at the College since 2006 and is well-known across campus particularly because of her "can-do" spirit.
"I help out as much as I can, wherever I can, in whatever capacity I can. I do not like being idle," she said.
Among committees she has served on (mainly as record keeper) is the Threat Assessment Committee and she is the College's delegated records manager. Mathey also volunteers as an English tutor on campus. While enrolled at Thomas Nelson in the early 2000s, she earned Club President of the Year recognition for her service as chapter president of Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
Mathey said the newly completed studies have enhanced her ability to conduct research, which helps in some ways on her job, and is something she thoroughly enjoys. It has also given her a greater appreciation for peoples' differences and similarities. She encountered people from all over including a few international students during classes. She also volunteered as a peer mentor the last two years in the BIS program assisting 50 incoming students with general advice about the program.
"Going through this BIS program was really interesting because I was online with students who were probably a couple of years younger than I was to maybe or in their mid-20s … they were basically working adults," she noted. "It was great learning and interacting with people of different backgrounds and finding out how they react … how they interpret something either on the historical perspective or personal perspective."
A transplant from San Diego, where she spent about five years as young adult after moving to the states from Japan, Mathey has lived in Hampton for 40 years. She and her husband, Wayne of 45 years, have a daughter, Megan. Now that she has spare time, she can get back to her hobbies - scrapbooking, sewing, genealogy research and crossword puzzles.