Navigating Life After Graduation 👩‍🎓

Each month, The Yo Pro features experienced leaders as Guest Writers to share wisdom and equip the next generation. Using a Start, Stop, and Continue model, they reflect on lessons learned from life and work as previous young professionals.

So, as we close out May 2025, enjoy story and insights from Matt Waller, former Dean and current Leadership Chair & Professor at University of Arkansas’ Sam M. Walton College of Business — you're in for a treat!

I grew up fascinated by the universe, people, and money, a curiosity that took me from a B.S.B.A. (summa cum laude) at the University of Missouri to a M.S and Ph.D. in Business Administration at Penn State.

That academic start launched a 30-year career at the University of Arkansas, where I rose from visiting assistant professor (1994) to Dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business (2016-2023) and now William Dillard II Endowed Leadership Chair. Along the way I:

• Co-founded two ventures—Bentonville Associates Ventures and Mercari Technologies—giving me a front-row seat to entrepreneurship during the first dot-com wave. 

• Helped secure more than $200 million in philanthropic gifts that created endowments, laboratories, and scholarships benefiting thousands of students. 

• Launched the Department of Supply Chain Management, which Gartner has ranked #1 in North America three cycles in a row. 

My personal life has been just as rich. Susanne and I married at 22 and raised four children—Sophia, Grant, Luke, and Sarah—praying for their future spouses long before we met them. Today Milo and Mallory are part of the family, and we’ll welcome two more in the coming year.

In 2017 a sudden detour appeared: Stage 3c colorectal cancer. Months of radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery were brutal, yet they refined my faith, deepened my gratitude, and sharpened my sense of purpose. By God’s grace I’m now cancer-free and feeling strong.

At 60, I balance several callings:

• Professor & Endowed Chair—teaching, mentoring doctoral students, and writing on technology’s impact on supply chains. My scholarship has been cited 13,000+ times, placing me among the university’s 20 most-cited researchers. 

• Strategic advisor & board member—serving as a member of the Board of Directors of Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, and the Walton Arts Center, and a strategic advisor to NewRoad Capital Partners. 

• Husband, dad, and “Papaw”—cherishing playground time with 18-month-old Henry and looking forward to two weddings (July and April).

• Health-wise—I lift weights four days a week, practice Pilates-based core work, stretch, and do cardio.

Three themes guide the road ahead:

1. Multiplying leaders. I’m working with senior leaders who want values-driven growth.

2. Future-proofing supply chains. My research and advisory work will keep exploring supply chain management so organizations can thrive.

3. Family and faith. I plan to invest deeply in my children’s marriages, delight in grand-parenting, and continue the quiet habit of praying for generations yet to come.

Cancer taught me that life is both fragile and astonishingly resilient. The milestones behind me—academic triumphs, entrepreneurial lessons, and a hard-won return to health—fuel an even greater desire to serve others in the years ahead.

Now that you know where I’ve been, where I am at, and where I am going, here is what I would start, stop, and continue if I could relive my early professional years:

Consistent Sleep and Healthy Lifestyle

If I could begin again, I would prioritize consistent sleep—7 to 8 hours per night, going to bed and waking up at regular times. Adequate rest is foundational, as scripture reminds us:

"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8 NIV)

Additionally, I would incorporate regular stretching, Pilates, weight training, cardio, and sunlight exposure each morning, recognizing the profound impact these practices have on overall wellbeing.

Seeking Wise Counsel

Early I would proactively seek advice from successful individuals in business, family, and spiritual growth. Proverbs emphasizes the importance of counsel:

"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." (Proverbs 15:22 NIV)

Early Financial Planning for Family 

Saving early for significant life events such as college and weddings would be a priority. Investing even modest amounts, like the $100 per month I started with in stocks, can yield significant long-term benefits.

The Parable of the Talents encourages wise stewardship (Matthew 25:14-30).

Building Passive Income Streams 

Alongside pursuing the career path I loved, I would actively seek out ways to build passive income, creating long-term financial stability and freedom.

This approach allows for greater flexibility and financial security in later years.

Intentional Leadership Development 

I would intentionally cultivate leadership skills in those around me, guided by the principle found in 2 Timothy:

"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." (2 Timothy 2:2 NIV)

Early Health Screening 

Health screenings such as colonoscopies are crucial. I would recommend starting at age 40 instead of waiting until 50, as health is foundational to all aspects of life.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

I would embrace entrepreneurial endeavors and innovative thinking early, recognizing their power to open new pathways and create meaningful impact. Scripture inspires excellence:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23 NIV)

Service in Church and Community 

Engaging actively in service within the church and various community organizations has provided significant personal fulfillment and spiritual growth. Scripture encourages such service:

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10 NIV)

Comparing Myself to Others

Comparisons rarely foster peace or contentment. Scripture wisely advises:

"Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else." (Galatians 6:4 NIV)

Eating Highly Processed Foods 

Prioritizing nutritious, natural foods early on sets the stage for sustained energy, clarity, and overall health. Our bodies, after all, are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Excessive Worry About the Future 

Rather than dwelling anxiously on the future, I would practice more present mindfulness and trust, as Jesus taught:

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34 NIV)

Marriage and Family Life 

Marrying Susanne at age 22 and raising our four children have been among my life's greatest blessings. Prioritizing family time and creating lasting memories is something I would unquestionably repeat. Psalm 127 beautifully captures this:

"Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him." (Psalm 127:3 NIV)

Commitment to Faith 

Making Bible reading, prayer, and Christian fellowship integral parts of my life since age 22 profoundly shaped my journey. Continuing these spiritual disciplines has been crucial:

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." (Psalm 119:105 NIV)

Avoiding Unnecessary Financial Strain

Not wasting resources on expensive cars and other luxury items has allowed me to invest in experiences, relationships, and secure financial futures. Proverbs advises moderation and wisdom:

"Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice." (Proverbs 16:8 NIV)

Lifelong Learning 

Embracing a mindset of continual learning has brought immense fulfillment, professional growth, and adaptability. Proverbs again affirms:

"Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance." (Proverbs 1:5 NIV)

Time with Family and Loved Ones

Now, as I spend joyful moments with my grandson Henry, I’m reminded that true wealth is found in relationships and shared experiences, not solely in monetary gain:

"Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife." (Proverbs 17:1 NIV)

Inquiry and Dependence on God

Though I have sought God’s guidance, I would intensify this practice, recognizing even more clearly the power of inquiring regularly of God in all decisions:

“If anyone lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you" (James 1:5-8, NIV).

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV).

If my journey has confirmed one enduring truth, it is that your influence outlives your résumé. Titles, grants, and quarterly goals matter, but the real impact is written in the lives that flourish because you showed up.

Surviving Stage 3c colorectal cancer drove that lesson home: tomorrow’s calendar can change overnight, yet what truly lasts is whatever we do to advance God’s Kingdom.

The book of Hebrews urges us, “Let us run with endurance the race set before us.” Endurance isn’t grim determination; it is anchoring your identity in something hardship cannot corrode. When that identity is rooted in Christ, the surprises of career and life become tutors, not tyrants.

As you chart your next steps, keep three compass points in view:

1. Play the long game. Compound interest applies to finances, relationships, and skills so make small, consistent deposits in each.

2. Choose courage over fear. Innovation, leadership, and healthy families all start on the other side of a moment that feels risky.

3. Measure success by impact. End every week by asking, Who is better off because I was here?

If you remember nothing else, remember the counsel that has guided me since my twenties: inquire of the Lord. May His wisdom, courage, and grace illuminate every mile of your remarkable journey.

As always, let us know how we can help you navigate your world as you navigate the world.

In Your Corner.

See you next Tuesday!