As the Associate Vice President of Policy & Partnership Development for Gateway to College National Network, Mathern has brokered agreements between colleges, school districts and state education agencies in order to connect communities with training, professional development and evaluation services, as well as replication and implementation of the Gateway to College program model for the last decade.

Mathern is also responsible for developing and executing the National Network’s policy agenda, which aims to provide pathways, resources and support services for opportunity youth to reengage with education and achieve success in post-secondary programs.

Before joining Gateway, Mathern taught in a small alternative high school and had worked in social services, providing child abuse intervention services, serving children and families who were survivors of domestic violence and working with adjudicated youth and adults. 

Mathern — who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Drake University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration with focus on education policy from Portland State University — has also taught English as a volunteer in Central America and Asia.