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Matthew Alan Cornett

Biography

Profile: Attending the University of Michigan has been a lifelong dream for Matthew Cornett.  Adept at computer technology, Matthew said Michigan has “the best computer science department in the midwest, and one of the top ten in the United States ...it’s the school that I dreamed of going to since I was a child.”  Sometimes dreams do come true, but in Matthew’s case there was a lot of hard work and some extreme physical handicaps that had to be overcome before he could gain admission to the famous university in Ann Arbor. And there was one other dream Matthew had, more important that gaining admission to a university . . . paralyzed from the waist down since 2004, it was Matthew’s dream to someday walk again.  That dream has been fulfilled too. Matthew graduated from Schoolcraft Community College with a near perfect GPA, while working full-time as a tutor at the college and still managed to perform his fatherly duties at home where he and his wife have four adopted children.

Inspiration:  Entering college “after fifteen aimless years” Matthew confessed he was extremely nervous.  In high school, math classes proved to be his downfall so the thought of college trigonometry mortified him.  “After my first class, my anxiety quickly subsided due to the teaching style of Professor Brad Stetson. He taught me how to approach and attack difficult equations with intensity and is the main reason for my success in subsequent math courses.  His passion in the classroom encouraged me to become a math tutor and has inspired me to pursue teaching as a profession.”

Aspiration:  Computers and Teaching ...and to continue to enjoy life and his family. 

Making a Difference: While Matthew was president of the Schoolcraft CC math and physics club, it was his responsibility to plan and oversee the annual science expo for local middle school students.  “I spent the better part of two semesters booking speakers, managing club finances, devising experiments and helping to construct them.  As proud as I was with the job that everyone had done leading up to the event, I was proudest during.   I watched the faces of over a hundred children as professors from around campus helped to further their passion for science.” 

Accolades:  Matthew was awarded the Tony award for outstanding learning support services on campus as well as the Schoolcraft faculty math scholarship for 2011.  He was also on Deans List for three consecutive years. 

Interesting Fact:  Matthew coaches his children’s baseball teams.

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