Matthew D'Agostino
Lead Photographer
External Relations
1. Please introduce yourself and describe your role at UMB.
I have worked at UMB for the past six years, serving as the photographer for the whole university. I started my career in newspapers, but left to pursue a graduate degree in Anthropology. Since then, I've worked among academics for most of that time, trying to communicate what happens at the university to the wider world. I also tried to do the same for students, eventually running a landmark service learning department at the Metro State University of Denver. Currently, I work within the Office of Communications and Public Affairs.
2. Why are you interested in serving on the Staff Senate?
My job takes me throughout the university, and I have the opportunity to gain a sense of the whole. Nonetheless, after six years, I would like to begin to take that perspective and try to influence the culture and policies that shape the university to the benefit of everyone. Especially now, with higher education under national scrutiny, I would like to be part of whatever processes the university develops to strengthen, communicate, and maintain what we do here.
3. What do you hope to accomplish during your term?
I strongly believe in maintaining clear and consistent communication among the staff throughout the schools. Since the pandemic, it is still relatively easy to feel apart from the community on campus, and would like to promote the good work and the amazing people who work here (perhaps through a Humans of New York style profile every week). I would like to maintain transparency regarding how the university responds to funding cuts. These are scary times, and more information rather than less helps everyone deal with the stress and find appropriate responses to challenges.
4. Describe your hobbies and interests outside of work.
Outside of work, I continue to photograph, especially on social justice issues that I find important. I hike a good bit with my family. I also bake all of our bread at home, and have for the past 20 years, getting my wheat and corn locally and milling it myself. I write letters by hand.
