Shaffer New Coordinator of Judicial Residential Education at Clarion

CLARION - Matt Shaffer is the new coordinator of Judicial Residential Education for Clarion University. He is replacing Scott Horch in the position.

Shaffer is responsible for the adjudication of cases involving students who are charged with violations of the university code of conduct. He will also be involved in training residence life staff and in residence hall programming.

“I will be working through conflicts that arise among students, both on and off campus, and try to find that teachable moment for students in conflict,” said Shaffer. “Some cases come to me immediately, some are referred to me after a number of previous meetings with a conduct officer, while others are referred by the residence life staff, university police, or based upon information received from Clarion Borough Police.”

Originally from the Claysburg area, Shaffer is a graduate of Claysburg-Kimmel High School. He decided to pursue an education career at Juniata College where he received a B.A. degree in elementary education/writing in 2000.

“I had a desire to teach others,” he explained. “I had taken several writing classes and I really enjoyed the opportunity to write short feature articles.”

Shaffer took a year off from college after receiving his undergraduate degree and worked as a resident director and assistant director of campus activities for Juniata College.

“I decided I really enjoyed working in student affairs,” said Shaffer about his decision to pursue a master’s degree. He earned his master of arts, student affairs in higher education degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2003.

Shaffer was hired as coordinator of residence life by the Penn College of Technology, where he also got to work with student conduct and provide education programs to residence hall students. After three years at Penn College of Technology, he joined Westminster College as assistant director of residence life. He left Westminster to accept the Clarion University position.

“I read about the Clarion opening online and decided to take a shot at it,” said Shaffer. “Once I got to campus and saw the opportunity I would have, I decided this would be a good stepping stone for me.”

Clarion University is the high-achieving, nationally recognized, comprehensive university that delivers a personal and challenging academic experience.