County Analyst Matt Lawyer Achieves Lifelong Goal as a First-Generation College Graduate
| 4 Min Read
Matt Lawyer, a seasoned senior analyst for the Marion County Board of Commissioners in Oregon, achieved an important personal milestone when he earned his Bachelor of Science in Science and Interdisciplinary Studies, with minors in History and Communications, from Eastern Oregon University (EOU) in 2025.
As a proud first-generation college graduate, Matt’s journey was anything but conventional, marked by resilience, purpose, and a powerful drive to set an example for his children.
“I think I’m the first one in my family to ever graduate college,” Matt shared. “And so, for me, that was really the core behind what I wanted to achieve.”
He also wanted to earn his bachelor’s degree so he could reach his professional goals. “If you don’t have that four-year degree, it’s harder to be competitive,” Matt explained. “It’s not that you have less value. It’s just a little bit harder to be competitive in the space of recruitment.”
Matt began his higher education path in 2015, but a life-altering motorcycle accident forced him to pause his studies. Despite the setback, he returned with renewed determination, balancing full-time work, family life, and community service. He credits his wife and children as the bedrock of his success.
“As a family, we made that choice to continue this journey,” he said. “Without the support of my wife and my two kids, I wouldn’t have done it.”
The online Interdisciplinary Studies program proved to be a natural fit, allowing him to explore meaningful connections between his work in public service and his academic interests.
“My community work helped inform and influence my degree,” Matt explained. “And my degree has now given me more tools and resources to be more successful in the way I do my work in the community.”
EOU’s Veterans Representative Program also played a pivotal role in helping Matt complete his degree while continuing to work. As a veteran and former instructor in the military, Matt discovered a surprising passion for communication studies.
“The communications program was one that I didn’t seek out,” he said. “But I landed on one of the classes and absolutely fell in love with it.”
In many ways, Matt’s greatest motivation was leading by example for his two daughters. His oldest is currently a sophomore in college.
“Just being able to look across the dinner table at my kids and know that my daughter is facing down this same goal in the next few years. I didn’t want to be a fraud,” he said. “I wanted to make sure that I held myself accountable.”
Completing his degree didn’t mark the end of Matt’s academic journey. It opened the door to a new chapter. He’s recently been accepted into a graduate program and looks forward to continuing his education while deepening his contributions to his community.
“I think that little sacrifices add to big gains later in life,” he said. “The return on investment was a satisfaction of being able to put that certificate in a frame, hang it up and look at it and say, ‘Yeah, I did that.’”
When asked what he would say to others considering a similar path, Matt doesn’t hesitate. “If I were to start over again, I would pick Eastern Oregon University right out the gate.”
Design a Degree That Works for You
Advance your career on your terms with the online bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from EOU. This fully online, flexible program lets you build a customized degree by combining two minors or creating your own focus area.
Whether you’re transferring credits or starting fresh, you’ll gain practical skills in research, communication, and critical thinking—preparing you for careers in business, education, public service, and more.
With support for up to 135 transfer credits, personalized learning paths, and no on-campus requirements, this program is built to fit your life and your goals.
Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Benefits
An Interdisciplinary Studies degree gives you the freedom to shape your education around what really interests you. Instead of following a single track, you can combine two areas of study, like history and communication, to create a degree that fits your goals. It’s a great option if you have multiple passions or want a more flexible path.
This kind of degree sets you up for a wide range of careers. Employers are looking for people who can think creatively, solve problems from different angles, and adapt to new challenges. The interdisciplinary studies program prepares you for exactly that.
Other Undergraduate Eastern Oregon University Online Programs
In addition to an Interdisciplinary Studies degree program, EOU offers a variety of fully online B.A. or B.S. programs designed to fit your schedule and support your career goals. Whether you’re interested in fields like business, computer science, marketing, or psychology, EOU provides flexible, accredited pathways to help you earn your degree from anywhere.