Matt Chen

IZone Makerspace Fellow

Matt is a graduate student in the Department of Communication. He graduated from UConn in Spring 2022 with a B.S. in Applied and Resource Economics, B.A. in Communications, and a minor in Digital Marketing & Analytics. Matt has spent his time at UConn studying ways to understand consumer behaviors and implement innovative strategies to support brand management and is passionate about how an organization can contribute to promoting a diverse and equitable social environment internally and externally. While being a fellow in the Makerspace, Matt will also be serving as a teaching assistant for COMM 1100: Principles of Public Speaking.

During Matts’ time as an undergraduate student, he gained valuable experience in multiple areas across UConn. Matt conducted research with Dr. Carolyn Lin as a web app developer, along with being a part of a research team with Dr. Cristina Connolly studying UConn’s local food procurement. Matt served as a RA for two years at South Campus and has also worked with The Office of Communications in CAHNR, UConn Football, and the National Communication Association’s Honor Society/Lambda Pi Eta (LPH). Matt is passionate about enhancing the experience of his fellow students’ time on campus and being a resource for those facing academic or personal hardships at UConn

Matt plans to incorporate his creative mind-set and ambition into his work in the Makerspace. Ranging from working in textiles and vinyl cutting to woodworking, Matt is always seeking ways to discover how to bring an idea to life. Matt hopes to push students to embrace lateral thinking and explore what innovation means to them.