Matthew Cushing

Rice University

Matthew brings more than 28 years of experience in education, with a career spanning classroom teaching, instructional coaching, regional education service consulting, and higher education leadership. Since joining Rice University in 2012, he has focused on building meaningful connections between K–12 education, higher education, industry, and community partners to expand access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities.

As Executive Director of the Rice University Center for STEM Engagement, Matthew leads initiatives that support educators, students, researchers, and community organizations through innovative STEM programming, professional development, workforce development partnerships, and broader impacts initiatives. His work emphasizes creating sustainable, scalable models that connect research and emerging technologies to authentic educational experiences, particularly in computer science, engineering, artificial intelligence, and interdisciplinary STEM education.

Matthew has extensive experience designing and leading broader impacts efforts for federally funded research projects, helping faculty translate complex research into meaningful educational and community engagement opportunities. His work includes developing K–12 outreach programs, teacher professional development models, undergraduate research pathways, and community-centered STEM initiatives that broaden participation in STEM fields. He is particularly passionate about helping educators explore how AI can enhance teaching, learning, communication, and public engagement.

In addition to his leadership at Rice, Matthew serves on the Texas Education Agency’s Executive STEM Advisory Committee, participates in the Texas Computer Science Leadership Network, and is actively involved with the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) Greater Houston chapter. He is also a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum (Class 64). Previously, he served on the Executive Board of the Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT).