Education
- M.B.A., Thunderbird School of Global Management, 2001
- B.A., Santa Clara University, 1992
Research and Teaching Interests
- Emerging market economies in Central and South America, and Sub-Saharan Africa
- Business planning for new product development and launching
- Innovative approaches to international business internships and exchange programs
- Innovative products and services for the new energy sector
- Triple bottom line economics and its practical applications
- Climate change and its effect on people, the planet and company profits
- International grants that help develop students’ personal, cultural, and professional skills
Biography
Matthew Jordan moved back to the United States after living and working in Brazil since 2010. He has also spent significant time overseas in both Europe and Africa.
Jordan, an instructor of International Business and the First Year Experience at St. Mary’s University, focuses on real-world applications of international business theory. He was also the Executive in Residence for the Greehey School of Business’ International Business program and the Director of the Center for Global Business Studies.
In this role, Jordan helped students identify internship opportunities that gave them practical experience and improved their chances for post-graduation employability. Part of this work included the development of a required, semester-long class that International Business students took prior to their overseas assignments, preparing them for the business and cultural challenges they would encounter in their designated countries, industries and companies/organizations. Jordan was also an Executive Business English teacher and spent time organizing business trips and consulting projects and internships to Central and South America as well as to Europe and Africa for MBA and EMBA students.
Jordan was also the Director of the Center for Global Business Studies. The Center focuses on three main objectives: sending more students and faculty overseas on study abroad programs and internships, raising money and providing logistical support to make these trips possible, and sponsoring events that promote learning and networking related to international business.
Prior to his time in South America, Jordan worked in banking and commercial real estate for both large and small corporations. He also received an international MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Phoenix.
Jordan was born in Omaha, Nebraska. His wife is Brazilian, and they have a son named Gustavo. In his free time, Jordan spends time with his family on the ocean and traveling to the many countries where he sends his students. He is an avid swimmer and modern dance hobbyist/advocate and speaks Portuguese, French and Spanish.
Jordan enjoys bringing his personal and practical knowledge to the classroom. His work allows him to serve as a bridge between the United States and the continually closer world that exists outside our borders. One of Jordan’s primary goals is to inspire his students to embrace this reality with a combination of solid international business theory and his own overseas first-hand knowledge and experience.