Spring Commencement 2025: Resa Mattson stays focused on her academic plans

Picture this.

Radford University senior media studies major Resa Mattson mapped out much of her academic journey, frame by frame, years ago, during her early high school years.

The plan called for the Floyd County, Virginia, native to begin her adventure at New River Community College, not far from her home.

In two years at New River, Mattson earned an associate degree tuition-free as part of the Access to Community College Education (ACCE) program, which provides a debt-free college education in exchange for volunteering in the community. 

Step 1: Check!

Next, Mattson planned to transfer to Radford to study photography and video production. She took an unplanned gap year after community college – “I needed to work,” she said – “but I always knew I’d end up here at Radford. I was locked in on this plan for a long time.”

Mattson first stepped on the Radford University campus as a student in the spring of 2023. 

Step 2: Check!

It was a step that furthered not only Mattson’s academic journey but also her family legacy. So, incorporating Radford into her academic plan was easy. 

“I chose Radford because all of my family has gone here, and having grown up here at Radford, I already felt at home,” Mattson said. “I was already very familiar with the campus. I knew the small campus was perfect for me.”

Mattson’s Radford legacy goes back a couple of generations. Her grandfather, Melvin Mattson, was a professor here for 25 years, and during part of that time, he served as chair of the Department of Marketing. Her mother, Tracey Mattson, earned a bachelor’s degree from Radford in 1990 and a master’s in 2004. Tracey Mattson later worked at the university, serving as the director of the Learning Assistance and Resource Center and as the founding director of the Military Resource Center. Mattson’s father, Randy Mattson, graduated from Radford in 1988.

That’s not all; Resa Mattson’s three older siblings attended Radford, too. “Radford University runs in my family,” she said.

Those family ties gave Mattson a unique perspective on what she could achieve at the university. 

“I knew Radford was going to provide the support I needed for my education,” she said.

Once enrolled at Radford, Mattson quickly engaged in her passion for photography and video. 

“I’ve been taking pictures since I was about 10 years old. So, it’s always been a joy of mine, and I’ve always been fairly good at it,” she said modestly. “I love taking pictures of nature, but now that I’ve been taking photos and videos of people and events, it’s been very fun, and I get to network, be involved with people and have a good time.”

One such opportunity presented itself to Mattson in February this year when she traveled to Richmond, Virginia, for Advocacy Day, a time when Radford students visit the state capital to advocate to members of the Virginia General Assembly on behalf of the university. Mattson documented the day as part of her work-study duties with Radford’s Marketing and Communication office.

“I was the only videographer for that trip, which was very stressful but very exciting,” she recalled. “I got a lot of experience and a lot of networking opportunities, and I’m very grateful for that opportunity.”

Mattson is grateful, too, for the opportunities she’s had to work with Radford faculty, who “have been so supportive on this journey,” she said.

“They’ve been so helpful for everything that I’ve been working on. My advisor, Dr. [Sam] Jennings, has been absolutely crucial for my whole journey here. He is always checking in on me, networking for me, and he is so helpful with job searches and resumes. He has a goal of helping all of his students find jobs after they graduate.”

Mattson graduates from Radford during Spring Commencement on May 10, but she’s not leaving campus anytime soon. In the fall, she will begin work on a master’s degree in strategic communication. She’s also been accepted into the graduate teaching assistant program. 

“I will be helping my favorite advisors and professors here teach 100-level courses,” explained Mattson, who has experience teaching theatre. “I’m very excited to come back to teaching and to share my love for Radford with the new faces coming to campus.”

It’s a picture-perfect opportunity for Mattson to grow and carry on her family’s legacy of service to Radford University.

“She is one of the most talented students I have worked with,” said Jennings, a professor in Radford’s School of Communication. “She is very focused on her future and is an exemplar for other students. I am so happy that she will continue as a student in our strategic communications master’s program in the fall of 2025.

“Resa,” he continued, “is amazing!”To learn more about Radford University's commencement ceremonies, visit www.radford.edu/commencement.