Professor Matt Marino: President & Founder, Young Scholars University
Matt Marino is the President and Founder of Young Scholars University, where he provides visionary leadership grounded in academic rigor, technological innovation, and student-centered excellence. With more than a decade of experience in higher education and over twenty years of industry expertise, President Marino founded Young Scholars University to reimagine the modern university, one that integrates academic depth, professional preparation, and holistic student development from its inception.
As an educator, President Marino has taught a wide range of undergraduate courses across Information Technology, Computer Science, Management, Marketing, and Technology Education in face-to-face, hybrid, and fully online formats. His teaching philosophy emphasizes active learning, intentional technology integration, and industry-aligned skill development. By leveraging learning management systems, video-based instruction, collaborative digital platforms, and project-based learning strategies, he has consistently designed courses that prepare students not only to master academic content but also to translate that knowledge into meaningful professional opportunities.
President Marino is also an accomplished scholar and researcher with peer-reviewed publications in Business and Professional Communication Quarterly, Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, and Journal of Research Initiatives. His research agenda focuses on student engagement strategies, instructional design for online learning, gender inclusiveness in STEM education, and the role of technology in faculty development. He has presented at national and international conferences, including ISTE, the Rutgers Online Learning Conference, and AACE Global Learn, where he has shared insights on digital pedagogy, online course design, and best practices in technology-enhanced instruction. In addition, he serves as a peer reviewer for the Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence and academic journals affiliated with Common Ground Research Networks, contributing to the advancement of scholarship in teaching and learning.
Beyond the classroom, President Marino is deeply committed to mentorship and professional community building. He founded The Old Scholars Network on LinkedIn to provide former students with an ongoing platform for networking, collaboration, and career advancement. He also created Scholarsgiving, modeled after the concept of Friendsgiving, but designed specifically for young scholars, which brings students and alumni together in a mentorship-centered environment focused on professional growth, academic connection, and long-term support. Through these initiatives, he reinforces the belief that education does not end at graduation but continues through sustained professional relationships and collaborative networks.
President Marino’s leadership is further strengthened by more than two decades of industry experience in web development, digital marketing, and online education. His professional background includes the development of custom learning management systems, website design, digital branding strategies, and e-commerce implementation. By incorporating industry-standard tools, real-world case studies, and experiential learning opportunities into academic programs, he has consistently bridged the gap between theory and practice. This integration of academic rigor and applied expertise forms a foundational pillar of Young Scholars University’s mission.
As President and Founder, Marino is committed to building an institution defined by instructional excellence, ethical governance, measurable student outcomes, and meaningful faculty mentorship. Under his leadership, Young Scholars University seeks to cultivate scholars who are intellectually prepared, professionally competitive, and equipped with the networks and adaptive skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy.