United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Mexico and Thailand are must-visits on the bucket lists of many. However, for Matthew Lisko, they were just four of the hundred countries he has visited. He has traveled all around the world while working with the University of Florida’s international admissions office. His next destination became Trinity’s College Counseling Department, where he brings an infectious disposition and unwavering commitment to his students.
Growing up in Ohio, Lisko realized his talent for football presented a great opportunity. While attending Dublin Coffman High School in Columbus, he was on track to play Division One football. Despite tearing his ACL, he still managed to start for the University of Cincinnati. Unfortunately, his career ended with another injury. Nevertheless, he overcame the setback and continued his studies at the University of Cincinnati.
After completing college, Lisko began working in the public school system. He later transitioned to private schools before landing a job with the University of Florida’s international admissions office. Working as the Assistant Director of international admissions at UF offered him the chance to travel — something near and dear to his heart.
“The beach taught me to dream, taught me to inspire, and taught me really just who I was as a person,” Lisko said.
One of the first experiences that sparked Lisko’s love for travel was the trips to the beach with his parents. Those trips, whether he knew it or not, set the course for the rest of his life. When the opportunity to work in a job that involved travel came along, he knew he could not pass it up.
However, while working in UF’s Office of Admissions, he felt a lack of interpersonal connection. Lisko realized that his true passion was helping students.
“You’re working with a ton of students, but you only work with each student for 35-40 seconds,” Lisko said. “So I wanted to … get to know my students a little bit better.”
His desire to grow and learn more as a person ultimately brought Lisko to Trinity.
“ I’m always learning,” Lisko said. “People never stop learning, so I want to learn from you all. You all will teach me a lot more about who I am, and you’re going to teach me how to grow.”
However, another significant source of growth for him is his faith.
“I’m a big Christian, and I love learning more about God and what He’s done for people and what He can do for us,” Lisko said. “That’s always at the forefront of everything I do — just keeping my Christianity.” With all the expectations that come with helping students get admitted into their dream colleges while pursuing his own dreams, his faith keeps him grounded. Turning to God guides his actions and shapes how he approaches everything the world throws at him.
In addition to his faith, his hobbies help keep him grounded. Lisko enjoys spending time with his nephews and niece, trying new restaurants and going to Disney.
“I have two nephews and a niece, and they are my world … I love them to death … We go on Disney trips together, we go to the beach, we go on vacations,” Lisko said. “We pretty much do everything together.”
In everything he does, Lisko seeks to help those involved. Whether it is enjoying free time with family, learning new things or helping students get into their dream colleges, Lisko puts his all into everything he does.
“I just want to try to help students, no matter if it’s going to the University of Florida, Ohio State, Bethune-Cookman, or Harris-Stowe University,” Lisko said. “… just helping students find the right fit of where they want to go and helping them achieve that dream.”
