Taylor Mateja joins University of St. Thomas as assistant director of Alumni Relations this June.

Mateja, a former second-grade teacher and 2016 graduate of Houston Baptist University, is a member of UST’s new Alumni team, under the leadership of Amy Youngblood. Youngblood joined the University as director of Alumni Relations in April.

“I value education immensely,“ Mateja said, “and knew that making the jump to higher education would be a great use of my skill set and knowledge. I also served as the student worker in Alumni Relations at HBU and fell in love with the job and all its responsibilities. I feel that having the experience of being a student who worked in the Alumni Relations department, I got to see the importance of engagement and fellowship with the community,” she said. “That being said, I bring a new perspective that focuses on the importance of engaging current students in order to foster relationships before they become alumni.”

Mateja feels she is at St. Thomas to help further the mission of the Alumni Relations Department. “I am looking forward to fostering relationships with current students and alumni,” Mateja said.

Youngblood said that Taylor has already jumped in and is working on the monthly newsletter communication to Alumni as well as Alumni social media posts.

Former Sr. Director of Alumni Relations, Carla E. Alsandor, Ph.D, accepted the position as senior director of USTMAX Center in Conroe.