Meet Matthew
Matthew is a public policy major at an HBCU in Alabama, passionate about creating meaningful change. As Campus King, he led the creation of a mental health room to support student well-being.
Recognized as a White House HBCU Scholar under the Biden-Harris Administration and an AT&T Rising Future Maker, Matthew’s experiences reflect his dedication to service and advocacy.
He is focused on advancing equitable policies, with a strong emphasis on improving mental health resources and uplifting underserved communities.
Portfolio
Mental Health Initiative (2024)
Created The Story Room (TSR), a cozy room on Oakwood’s campus where students can retreat to read 50+ anonymous stories of students and alumni who have fought through mental health struggles. Matthew hopes students learn that they are not alone, and there is hope. The mental health room is professionally designed and furnished.
White House HBCU Scholar (2024 - 2025)
Serves as a 2024 White House HBCU Scholar. In this role, he works with NASA, meets with senior officials from the White House and U.S. government, advocates for issues that matter, and more. Political affiliation is not considered and selections are merit-based.
AT&T Rising Future Maker (2024 - 2025)
Matthew Dormus was selected as one of 25 students nationwide out of more than 2,000 applicants to become an AT&T Rising Future Maker. Each winner received $5,000, a 5G-enabled tablet, and access to exclusive professional development and networking opportunities.
Mister Oakwood University (2024 - 2025)
Reigns as Mister Oakwood University (campus king). As the goodwill ambassadors for the University, Mister & Miss Oakwood play a vital role in recruitment efforts, representing the University locally and nationally, and maintaining a prominent presence on campus.
Student Government Officer (2022, 2025)
Served as a senator, assisting female residents affected by a dorm fire by securing essential resources. Currently running for Academic Vice President for the 2025–2026 school year.
Video Series (2024)
Created “Meet the Scholars”, a 15 episode video series that highlighted 60 White House HBCU Scholars (2024-2025) from 44 universities. Leading a production team of 4 other Scholars, he hosted every episode and edited half of the videos.
Video Series (2024)
Created “Crown Talk,” a video series to start his Mister Oakwood reign with a bang. He interviewed 33 campus kings and queens from 26 HBCUs about their HBCU experience. Fifteen episodes and over 145,000 views later, Matthew believes it’s beautiful when HBCU students come together.
Show (2023 - 2024)
Co-founded and co-hosted the Good Morning OU Show. 10 episodes and other video content garnered 185,000+ views during the show’s 1st year. Also, 20 more episodes were filmed for later release.
Fundraiser (2022)
Organized a fundraiser during 12th grade in which $1200+ dollars were raised for typhoon victims in the Philippines. Food packages were given from the funds as well as handwritten cards.
Community Service Organization (2019 - 2022)
Founded Operation Radiate (OPR), a community service organization that provided aid to senior citizens. The organization started with 6 students and no operating fund during his 9th grade year. Within 3 years, OPR had 50+ student volunteers, 3 part-time employees, and a $3000+ operating fund.
Video Series (2020)
During the pandemic, Matthew created an interview series called “Youth Spotlight” to keep his church connected. Notably, the series highlighted the story of a church member’s baby who had Leukemia. This generated support for the child.
Acts of Kindness Project (2019)
As sophomore class secretary in high school, Matthew initiated a program called “Birthdays-R-Us” to recognize the birthdays of freshmen with cupcakes. He wanted to help the new students feel welcomed and loved.
Mental Health Initiative (2018)
As a freshman class officer in high school, Matthew set up an initiative called “Freshies in the Feels” to care for the mental health of fellow classmates. A listening ear, a hug, and sometimes chocolate was provided to those who needed it when they needed it.
Recycling Program (2017 - 2018)
Launched a school recycling program to positively impact the environment in 8th grade. Hundreds of pounds of paper were recycled in several months.
Recognition Program (2017 - 2018)
Established a recognition program called “Starbursts for Stars” in 8th grade. With starburst candy, Matthew recognized students at the weekly school assembly for acts of kindness that they had been caught doing during the week.
Campaign (2017)
As student body president in middle school, Matthew started a school-wide campaign called “LAA Cares.” One of the acts of kindness conducted through LAA Cares was a Christmas toy drive for children’s hospital patients.
Donation Drives (2015, 2017)
Organized a water drive for residents of Flint, Michigan whose city water supply had lead poisoning in 6th grade. Organized a water drive for Hurricane Irma victims who lacked clean water in 8th grade. 470 water cases were collected for the hurricane victims.
Mission Trips (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Provided humanitarian aid in Kentucky, Haiti, Jamaica, Belize, and Guatemala on mission trips. Matthew worked in medical clinics, helped in construction work, and fundraised nearly $1000 for mission efforts.
Press
TV News
FOX54 News - “Oakwood junior Matthew Dormus named White House HBCU Scholar”
WAAY-TV 31 News (ABC News) - “Oakwood University student wins AT&T contest”
FOX54 News - “Oakwood students help open first on-campus mental health resource”
WAAY-TV 31 News (ABC News) - “New "Story Room" unveiled at Oakwood University”
WHNT News 19 (CBS News) - “Oakwood University Unveils New Mental Health Room”
Articles
Historically Black Since - “We Choose Hope: How These Oakwood University Student Leaders are Tackling Mental Health on Campus”
Carson Scholars Fund - “Five New Members Join the CSF Hall of Fame”
Metro Atlanta CEO - “Delta Community, V-103 Select Final Two Recipients of its 2024 HBCU Scholarship Award”
WHNT News 19 (CBS News) - “Four North Alabama students named White House 2024 HBCU scholars”
AT&T - “AT&T Announces the 2024 Rising Future Makers Showcase Winners”
U.S. Department of Education - “White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities Names 2024 HBCU Scholars”
Speakin' Out News - “Oakwood Univ. Junior Matthew Dormus Named White House HBCU Scholar”
Atlanta Daily World - “White House Initiative On HBCUs Names 2024 Scholars, 7 Georgians Honored”
Arete Scholars - “Catching Up With Arete Alumnus, Matthew Dormus”
Arete Scholars - “Announcing 2022 Graduate of the Year”
Arete Scholars - “2022 Senior Video Essay Contest Winner”
Magazines
Oakwood Magazine - “OU Royalty: The Weight of the Crown” (front cover and feature story)
HBCU Times Magazine - “HBCU Royalty Feature: Matthew A.B. Dormus”
Atlanta Tribune - “White House Initiative On HBCUs Names 2024 Scholars, 7 Georgians Honored”
The Educated Mentor Journal - “We Want To Say, ‘Thank You!’” (page 8)
Bold Journey - “Meet Matthew Dormus”
CanvasRebel - “Meet Matthew Dormus”
VoyageATL - “Check Out Matthew Dormus’s Story”
Shoutout Atlanta - “Meet Matthew Dormus | Creative”
Southern Tidings Magazine - “DAJA Student’s Academic Excellence Recognized”
Podcasts
ILoveMyHBCU? - “We Should Treat Our Votes Like A TikTok Trend — Ep. 40”