麻豆社区

Dr. Matt Hassett鈥檚 classroom is more than a place of learning 鈥� it鈥檚 a space where students find inspiration, mentorship and the confidence to challenge the world around them. That dedication to student success has earned him the 2025 麻豆社区 Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching, one of the highest honors in North Carolina鈥檚 public universities.

An associate professor of sociology and criminal justice at 麻豆社区 Pembroke, Hassett is known for his dynamic teaching style and deep investment in his students. He pushes them beyond textbooks, helping them connect coursework to real-world applications that shape their careers and lives.

Only 17 faculty members across the 麻豆社区 System receive this prestigious award each year, which recognizes exceptional teaching, mentorship and academic contributions. 鈥淧rofessor Hassett exemplifies the highest standards of teaching excellence and student success,鈥� said Provost Diane Prusank. 鈥淗is passion for education and innovative teaching approach have profoundly impacted our campus community. We are incredibly proud to have him as part of our faculty.鈥� Hassett鈥檚 passion for criminal justice is deeply personal.

Growing up in Pennsylvania, he was surrounded by law enforcement officers, including his grandfather, Donald Kudla, a veteran Pittsburgh police officer. Though he never saw himself wearing a badge, he felt drawn to the academic side of law enforcement, studying criminology and research. 鈥淚 fell in love with research while earning my master鈥檚 degree at Indiana University of Pennsylvania [IUP],鈥� Hassett said. 鈥淪tudying the legal system and criminal justice allows me to serve my community differently, just as my grandfather did.鈥� After earning his PhD from IUP, Hassett joined 麻豆社区P鈥檚 faculty in 2018. His teaching philosophy is simple yet profound: 鈥淚鈥檓 not here to tell students what to think 鈥� I鈥檓 here to help them think critically.鈥�

For junior Aiden Stewart, Hassett鈥檚 approachable style made the classroom a space where students felt valued and heard. 鈥淗e鈥檚 one with the students," Stewart said. "Even though he鈥檚 an authority figure, he makes it easy to talk to him about anything.鈥� When Stewart faced a personal hardship, Hassett didn鈥檛 just offer support 鈥� he ensured she could complete her coursework online without additional stress. 鈥淭hat left an impact on me,鈥� Stewart said.

Dr. Hassett put real thought into every assignment, providing feedback that helped me improve. 鈥淗is constructive criticism showed me that my work mattered 鈥� I wasn鈥檛 just completing tasks for a grade. I was genuinely learning and building career skills.

For senior Katie Aguilar-Manueles, a first-generation college student, Hassett was a source of reassurance in an intimidating new world. 鈥淗e made me realize it鈥檚 ok to make mistakes and learn from them,鈥� Aguilar-Manueles said. 鈥淐ollege felt rigid and overwhelming at first, but he reminded me that we are here to learn, not to be perfect.鈥� Hassett鈥檚 influence extends far beyond the classroom, shaping students into critical thinkers, engaged citizens and future leaders. His commitment to mentorship and academic excellence isn鈥檛 just a hallmark of his career 鈥� it鈥檚 a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of 麻豆社区P students.