Joseph Matthews

For retired Col. Joseph Matthews, leadership is a way of life.

It was an emphasis when he was a cadet at UNG and for 27 years in the Army in roles including infantry soldier, air defense artillery officer and military intelligence officer. Leadership remains central to his profession as commandant of cadets at UNG, a role he assumed in July 2019.

The 1994 UNG graduate sees leadership as setting an example for others to follow. Retired Lt. Gen. James Terry, who was an assistant professor of military science while Matthews was a cadet, helped reinforce that lesson.

"Leadership is knowing the right thing to do and getting others to do it," Matthews said. "You've got to show others the right thing to do. In the absence of orders, you should do the right thing."

Matthews said the self-discipline required in the Corps of Cadets served him well in his Army career and helped him overcome the challenges of leading soldiers in remote combat zones.

"Our environment on this campus and our ideals to the honor code and holding cadets accountable, it produces leaders who people want to follow," Matthews said. "In dangerous places, soldiers will want to and need to follow you. You have that confidence and the ability. You're not going to crumble under pressure. You're going to persevere through to the end."

He gained a greater understanding of other languages, cultures and perspectives while deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Matthews also served in a variety of command and staff positions, including commanding the 742nd Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Meade, Maryland. He finished his active-duty career serving as the senior intelligence officer for the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command in Hawaii.

His quality of leadership and performance is reflected in the awards and decorations he received. They include the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, three Meritorious Service Medals and two Air Medals. Between training missions and combat deployments, Matthews earned two master's degrees.

The Vero Beach, Florida, native enlisted in the Georgia Army National Guard and worked at a number of jobs, including as a lifeguard, to pay his way through school and earn a degree in history from UNG. He maintained these responsibilities while serving in cadet leadership.

"Every cadet who graduates from UNG learns that hard work will get you where you're going," Matthews said.