Matthew Draughon

Matthew was born and raised in the town of Metairie, Louisiana-just outside New Orleans. Shortly after graduating high school in 2004, he joined the United States Marine Corps. After multiple combat deployments and extensive time in the field, the outdoors became his office, classroom, and on some days the counselor’s sofa. However, there was more to it than just doing normal things outside. Matthew found that nature’s chaos brings about an intrinsic learning that neither he, nor any other instructor, ever could. With this new-found passion for leading in the outdoors, he sought a way to transition and engage this unique skill set in the civilian sector.

The Outdoor Leadership program at Southwestern Community College offered the opportunity to broaden his technical skills and apply them to an ever-expanding outdoor economy. He is currently employed at a therapeutic farm located in Cullowhee, NC that serves clients who are on the Autism Spectrum. After graduating from SCC, Matthew intends to continue his education with the Parks and Recreation department at Western Carolina University.