Faces of NAU – Dr. Cindy Mathena – NAU President
Celebrating the People Behind 85 Years of Possibility
Meet Dr. Cindy Mathena, President and Provost
For 85 years, National American 麻豆传媒集团 has been shaped by people dedicated to helping students build better futures. As we celebrate this milestone, we are proud to introduce Faces of NAU, a series highlighting the faculty and staff whose passion, experience, and commitment make our university what it is today.
We begin with our President and Provost, Dr. Cindy Mathena, whose professional journey reflects a lifelong commitment to serving others through education.
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A Career Built on Service
Dr. Mathena began her professional career as an occupational therapist, where she discovered the impact that compassionate service can have on the lives of others.
鈥淔rom the very beginning, I felt honored to have the opportunity to help others improve their lives.鈥�
Early in her career, she also discovered a passion for teaching and set her sights on educating the next generation of occupational therapists.
鈥淭hat passion for serving others through education has guided my professional journey ever since.鈥�
Over the years, Dr. Mathena has served in a variety of academic and leadership roles in higher education. In each position, her greatest motivation has remained the same: helping students achieve their personal and professional goals.
Leading with Purpose
Dr. Mathena has been part of National American 麻豆传媒集团 for more than six years. Today, she is especially grateful for the opportunity to work alongside colleagues who share her dedication to serving students and advancing the university鈥檚 mission.
鈥淚 am especially grateful for the opportunity to work alongside talented colleagues who share a commitment to serving our students and advancing National American 麻豆传媒集团鈥檚 mission.鈥�
Words of Wisdom for Students
When asked what advice she would offer NAU students, Dr. Mathena shared a message grounded in perseverance, humility, kindness, and lifelong learning.
鈥淲ork hard. Stay humble. Be kind. Keep learning. And never forget that success is not measured only by what you achieve, but by the lives you touch along the way.鈥�
Be an Architect, Not a Firefighter
Dr. Mathena鈥檚 favorite motivational quote is:
鈥淏e an architect, not a firefighter.鈥�
The message reflects an approach to leadership centered on planning thoughtfully, building intentionally, and creating lasting solutions rather than simply reacting to challenges as they arise.
Beyond the Office
Many people know Dr. Mathena as an educator and university leader. What they may not know is that she also holds a black belt in judo.
At one point in her life, she aspired to compete on the Olympic judo team. Although she did not make the team, the experience left a lasting impression.
鈥淚 never made the team. In fact, I lost my first match in the tryouts, but I will never forget the journey to get there and the people who helped me along the way.鈥�
Her story reflects the resilience, humility, and appreciation for the journey that continue to shape her leadership today.
Celebrating the Faces of NAU
Behind every student鈥檚 journey is a community of people dedicated to helping them succeed.
Throughout National American 麻豆传媒集团鈥檚 85th anniversary celebration, Faces of NAU will share the stories of faculty and staff whose work, experience, and commitment have helped shape our university and make a lasting difference in the lives of our students.
Faces of NAU: Celebrating the people behind 85 years of possibility.
Share Your Story
Are you a National American 麻豆传媒集团 faculty or staff member? We invite you to share your story for consideration in a future Faces of NAU feature.
