SACKVILLE, NB — Matthew (Matt) Maston has been named the Director, Accessibility and Student Wellness at Mount Allison University. Maston had served as interim director since Nov. 2020 and will now take on the role permanently.
 
“Matt is known across campus for his professionalism and calm and caring manner. He has and continues to play a key leadership role in student support during the pandemic,” says Anne Comfort, Vice-President, International and Student Affairs at Mount Allison. “After an extensive search and interview process, we’re fortunate that he has taken on the role permanently. I look forward to continuing to work with him.”
 
Maston has worked at Mount Allison University since 2012, first as disability services advisor in the University’s Meighen Centre and then as interim director, accessibility and student wellness. He holds a Master of Education (Educational Administration and Leadership) and previously worked at the Nova Scotia Community College and taught in Hong Kong and South Korea. Maston also received a Certificate of Human Rights Theory and Practice from York University’s Osgoode Hall.  
 
“I’m excited to continue working in this role and be part of a team that works to drive positive change for students,” says Maston. “The Student Affairs team is a close-knit one that makes direct connections with students and their families and across campus.”
 
Along with his leadership role around student wellness, Maston is also a published researcher. He has published and presented papers in the areas of global citizenship and inclusion in education and student perceptions of cannabis use.  
 
“My graduate research focused on diversity in public schools, looking at  how educators and other stakeholders respond to demographic and other changes in classrooms,” says Maston. “I’ve also been a part of a team that looked at  cannabis use and student perceptions of how this impacts their academics, health, and social life. Both areas have intersected with my work at Mount Allison.”
 
As Director of Accessibility and Student Wellness, Maston oversees the University’s Wellness Centre, which provides several health services to students, and Meighen Centre, which provides services and accommodations to students with documented disabilities. Maston is a member of the University’s COVID working group and has chaired the COVID response team, assisting with campus pandemic protocols and response. He also chairs the Student of Concern Case Team and the Senate Committee on Students with Disabilities and is a member of the Student Affairs Leadership Council. He previously served as the accessibility divisional representative with the Atlantic Association of College and University Student Services.