Ouachita Stories

Karen Matros is passionate about a few things – her family, her alma mater and serving others.

Matros began working for Ouachita even before she graduated, serving part time in admissions counseling while she finished her degree. She graduated in May of 1992, was married a week later in Berry Chapel to Brant Matros ’93 and began working full time in admissions that summer.

When Cone-Bottoms Hall re-opened in 1994 after an extensive renovation, Matros was part of the first group to fill an administrative office in the historic building. From 1998-2010, she stepped away from Ouachita to raise her sons.

“It was one of the most difficult things I had to do,” she said. “I had to look at Dr. [Andrew] Westmoreland, who I respected greatly, and quit a job I loved dearly.” Westmoreland ’79 was serving as executive vice president at the time and was named Ouachita president that summer.

In 2010, Matros returned to Ouachita to serve in the Offices of the Registrar and Academic Affairs before transitioning in 2014 to financial aid, where she now serves as director of student financial services.

“Karen brings a breadth of experience to leading our student financial services team with two decades of service in a variety of departments at Ouachita,” said Jason Tolbert ’98, vice president for finance. “She is on the front lines of making sure our students can attend. Her knowledge and steady leadership give me the confidence to know our students are well served. Her work impacts almost every student who sets foot on our campus.”

For Matros, even in a highly numbers- focused role, she keeps students at the forefront.

“We don’t want students just to get accepted and come to Ouachita. We want them to graduate having their lives changed,” Matros said. “The trajectory of my life changed here. Where would I be without Ouachita? I believe in a Ouachita education and am thankful I can come to work knowing what I do makes a difference.”

It takes a team to keep up with constantly changing federal regulations and guidelines related to financial aid. Maintaining excellent records and staying in compliance helps show the federal government that Ouachita acts with integrity. Matros’ team in student financial services is also passionate about providing students with excellent service and care while being good stewards of Ouachita’s budget and resources.

“Last year our team dispersed $48 million in federal, university, state and private aid. That’s a lot to manage,” she said. “I am so thankful for my team, their commitment to Ouachita and their commitment to serving our students and families well.”

As a reflection of this excellent work, Matros was named to the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) Financial Aid Administrators Commission in July.

“I am thankful for the CCCU and the advocacy they provide on behalf of faith-based institutions like Ouachita,” Matros said. “I’m looking forward to serving as a resource to other colleagues in similar roles at CCCU institutions around the country.”

Matros and her husband, Brant, live in Arkadelphia and are active members of First Baptist Church. Their son John Franklin ’18 and his wife, Shelby (McCollett) ’18, and their son Brandon ’20 and his wife, Emma (Shortes) ’19, all live in Little Rock.

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By Jon Merryman ’00, director of alumni relations