Dewayne Matthews

PHOENIX (Dec. 5, 2024) - Dewayne Matthews, an international advocate for education and a passionate leader in shaping U.S. higher education policy, died peacefully on Thursday with his wife and soulmate of 25 years, Gladys Matthews, at his side. His death in hospice care came several months after an emergency surgery to remove a rapidly growing brain tumor. He was 73.

Over a professional career spanning four decades, Dewayne, with an impish grin and humor to match, left an indelible mark on the education landscape. He was a generous and gentle man of uncommon curiosity, vision, and talent who spent much of his life improving access to college and pathways to academic success for students from all backgrounds.

Before Dewayne retired from Lumina Foundation in late 2016, he shaped the foundation's strategy and policy efforts, contributing to increases in the nation's overall education levels after high school. He also had influential roles with the Education Commission of the States, where he led initiatives that fostered collaboration among U.S. governors, legislators, and education leaders, and with the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, where he oversaw transformational projects across 15 states. Colleagues recall him as a thoughtful, compassionate, and approachable leader who valued diverse perspectives and encouraged innovation.

Dewayne's commitment to a career in education began with three years as a first-grade bilingual teacher at a rural four-room school in Taos County, New Mexico. After spending the next two years coordinating the staff at San Felipe del Rio, a long-term residential facility for 75 abused and neglected children serving the local schools and tribal government, he recognized the systemic challenges facing poorly served communities and students and sought ways to address these disparities more broadly.

While working toward a master's degree in bilingual education from New Mexico Highlands University, which later named him a distinguished alumnus, he became a policy analyst for the New Mexico legislature. His meticulous research and dedication to K-12 and higher education reform earned recognition from the governor, lawmakers, and educators. From there, he rose through roles at the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education, becoming the country's youngest state higher education executive officer at 34, serving four years. His accomplishments included crafting a statewide plan for higher education and securing more funding for colleges serving students from low-income families.

An accomplished scholar, Dewayne earned a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies from Arizona State University. He was a prolific writer, commentator, and sought-after speaker on higher education topics, appearing several times on C-SPAN. His doctoral dissertation on state policy and campus influences on minority student outcomes reflected his commitment to achieving fairer educational outcomes. Later, he taught graduate-level courses on higher education at the University of New Mexico and the Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas in Mexico. As a guest lecturer, Dewayne shared his expertise with students and professionals at universities across the United States, inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Fluent in Spanish and deeply connected to Latin American culture, Dewayne cherished his time studying in Quito, Ecuador, and Madrid, Spain. He believed education was a bridge that connected people and cultures. He also supported international collaboration, particularly in the Americas and Europe. He was an architect of the Consortium for North American Higher Education Collaboration, which brought together leaders from Canada, Mexico, the United States, and Central and South America to address opportunities and shared challenges. His leadership extended to global forums, including the World Bank and the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development, where he represented the interests of U.S. higher education.

Dewayne was an enthusiastic traveler who shared a passion for experiencing new places with Gladys. On one adventure, they took a train from the Oslo airport during a five-hour layover from Barcelona to Stockholm to enjoy an afternoon on the waterfront. Whether joining crowds on the streets of Lyon, France, to watch the World Cup or soaking up the excitement among devotees of the tango a few blocks away, the couple enjoyed the beauty and people around them.

Closer to home, Dewayne and Gladys were active at Phoenix's Heard Museum, serving as tour guides. This fall, Dewayne had been asked to take on an expanded teaching role as the volunteer education coordinator for tour guides. His relationship with the museum was a perfect outlet for his appreciation for Native American art and culture

Dewayne grew up in Albuquerque, loved the Southwest, and often painted watercolors of favorite places, such as the mission church of San Xavier del Bac in the Tohono O'odham Nation near Tucson. His friends treasured the paintings he would turn into annual holiday cards. Watercolor was an artistic pursuit he took up in anticipation of retirement, traveling overseas to painting workshops before and after he retired to hone his brushstrokes.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys, with whom he shared a life of mutual support, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to service. He was the third of four sons of Robert and Irene Matthews, who preceded him in death, along with his brothers James and Sam. His brother Robert, nieces Kristina Matthews and Emily Kelsey, and nephew Patrick Matthews also survive him.

His family is planning a spring celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, they suggest memorial donations to the Heard Museum.