La Salle Adviser Elaine Mattern, Who Guided Many to a College Education, to Retire

Elaine Mattern is retiring from La Salle University on August 11, after 12 years of guiding adults to their dream of obtaining a college education.

“I seem to represent the model of the typical adult learner, which is why I feel so close to the adult students at La Salle,” said Mattern, who persevered to take classes at La Salle for nearly 20 years while raising two children and working full-time. “It was kind of a mission for me,” she said. “I knew that I would be the first woman in my family to get a college degree – that kept me going.” 

Since 1994, Mattern has been advising adult students, who have been enrolled in the College of Professional and Continuing Studies, the University’s evening program tailored to meet the scheduling needs of adult learners.

Receiving an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts, a B.A. in Psychology, and a Masters in Counseling Psychology, Mattern finished in 1995 with a 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA), earning her two awards -- an Evening Division Psychology Award and the Dr. Victor Brooks Award, given to an Evening Division student with the highest cumulative GPA in his or her graduating class.

While studying at La Salle, Mattern served as a Program Assistant and an Academic Adviser for the College of Professional and Continuing Studies, where she realized after receiving her Masters that she had found her calling – helping students.

“My most important task has been advisement and human support. It's all about the human face,” said Mattern, who decided to stay with the University and advise students.

Recently, one of Mattern’s former advisees, Julie Kurzynowski, 44, stopped by her office for a surprise visit.

Kurzynowski came not only with a smile but also with an award for being recognized as the top Psychology Department senior in the University’s Evening Division -- the same award that Mattern received 16 years ago. 

“I remember being so overwhelmed and even a bit scared about transferring to La Salle” said Kurzynowski, who moved from Michigan to Philadelphia in 1988 to accomplish two goals -- to recover from an eight-year alcohol and drug addiction and to go to La Salle for a psychology degree.  “I didn't know if I could pull it off and actually graduate, but whenever I met with Elaine she had a way of making me feel like I was the most important person in the world and that there was nothing I couldn't accomplish,” said Kurynowski. 

Mattern continued to encourage Kurynowski for all four years while she was taking classes.

“I tell my students to follow your passion,” said Mattern. “Students are sometimes hurting. You can’t believe that things are just as it seems… you have to look closer, support them, and help them regain confidence in their learning.”

Kurzynowski said, “With her as my advisor, I felt like I had my own personal cheerleader and coach to guide me through to the end. Several semesters before I actually graduated, Elaine looked at my GPA and said, ‘I can see it. You're going to graduate maxima cum laude!’”

Sure enough, with Mattern’s encouragement, Kurzynowski graduated this spring with a B.A. in psychology and a 4.0 grade point average, just like her adviser.

“I can honestly say that Elaine has played a huge part in my success at La Salle,” said Kurzynowski. “Elaine helped me to believe in myself and to keep putting one foot in front of the other, one day at a time, so that I could reach my goal.”

Mattern plans to return to her hometown in Berskhire, Massachusetts, to pursue some of her other passions, including music, art, and writing. 

--Hannah Loper