Matt Coates '11

• Communication
• Normal, IL

Matt is a 2011 communication graduate who found his Redbird life at CEFCU Arena as a member of the ISU men’s basketball team. It is here he developed his passions for community service and volunteerism through activities with the team.

Following graduation, Matt stay connected to Redbird Athletics and currently serves on the ISU Athletics Council and on the board of directors for Empower the Nest, a collective that supports student-athletes and their name, image, likeness use in college athletics.

In 2022, Matt was appointed by the governor to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. Prior to this, Matt was the director of communications for Bloomington Public Schools, District 87. Majority of Matt’s career has been in human services working with at risk youth and families. Prior to being director of communications, he served as a restorative school specialist at Project Oz, where he was embedded at Bloomington High School to support students in reaching their academic goals and resolving conflicts in a restorative method.

Matt greatly enjoys continuous learning and serving his community. He earned a master’s in nonprofit leadership from Bradley University in 2019 and currently serves on several nonprofit board of directors.

He currently serves on the Alumni Association board of directors' diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and scholarship committees.