Matthew McCallum

After earning his undergraduate degree at the US Naval Academy in 2008, Matt served five years in the Marine Corps as a logistician, deploying twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon completing his active duty commitment, Matt began his journey of personal healing and transition to civilian life by working as a canyoneering guide in the still, remote desert of Southern Utah. Curious to learn more about relationships, behavior, and communication, he turned toward graduate school, which prompted his move to Eugene, Oregon.

Matt’s years of graduate studies in counseling at the University of Oregon were among the most valuable educational experiences of his life, particularly in the fields of radical politics and feminist theory. He continues to draw upon this foundation to inform his work in his local community, and is currently employed as a librarian’s assistant at the Springfield Public Library, where he enjoys connecting patrons with resources and information.

Matt’s current and former unpaid work includes volunteering with the Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation, Courageous Kids, and Business For America’s Operation Vote Safe: organizations dedicated to erecting a monument for veterans of the post-9/11 conflicts, supporting children’s grief after experiencing the death of a loved one, and providing PPE to poll workers and voters during the pandemic. Outside of work and volunteering, Matt enjoys cycling, reading, hiking, listening to records, hanging out with his cat, and playing a holiday movie bingo game he created.