MATT NAZARIO-MILLER

What a year, huh?

Frankly, for a communications professional, words have been a little more tricky to string into coherent sentences lately as I process and react to everything that’s happened since 2025 began. If you’re like me, sometimes, it can be challenging to focus in these turbulent times. 

Writing about my experiences creates a space for me to focus, which has been a joy for me to rediscover in the wake of the Stanford layoffs this summer. 

You may have found my website and the upcoming series of blog posts that I’m kicking off because of what I’ve shared on LinkedIn about the 363 staff who received a layoff notice in late July 2025. The last effective date for many of our roles is October 1, 2025. 

After 3 years at Stanford driving employee communications and organization-wide initiatives in University Human Resources, at this point in my 10-year career, I’m exploring what’s next for me in marketing communications leadership and related roles. 

Thank You, Community

As I explore what’s next, I am heartened and encouraged by my colleagues who have this shared experience. The way this community has shown out is nothing short of amazing, so there is a lot of joy along the way as we all determine what’s next for each of our journeys. 

In these first several weeks since the layoff news came out, I’ve been overwhelmed in the best way by the community response to support those of us impacted by these budget-driven layoffs. It’s been a beautiful thing to be a part of and to facilitate in the ways that I know best—digital engagement, online community building, and best practices in marketing communications and content strategy. 

I’ll remember these first few weeks for the rest of my life because of the sheer power of the community coming together to uplift one another. It’s been absolutely remarkable. 

Resources for Navigating the Layoff

As soon as the layoff news broke, I rushed to create a form for Stanford staff to self-report their own individual job loss and information about what they need from the community. To date, about 70 of the 363 impacted staff have added to the form.  

Resources are being continuously updated and it would be worth exploring these resources, whether for yourself or for sharing with impacted colleagues. 

Find the latest resources in the Unofficial Stanford Layoff Resources Google Drive folder, including the layoff directory, contact information for career coaches, guidance on using remaining professional development dollars through Stanford’s STAP (Staff Training Assistance Program), and more. 

So, Where Do I Go From Here? 

For me, this pivotal time in the education field, our country, and my own career trajectory means that I’m on a national search for my next career move. 

While this wasn’t on my bingo card for 2025, I’m leaning into the chaos and am finding energy in dreaming about the places that I could go next. I’ve shared more about what kinds of roles and locations I’m open to on LinkedIn, so if you see anything that sounds like me, my DMs and email inbox are always open!

Coming Soon: Digital Community Engagement Opportunities 

Beyond the job search, I’m also excited to share updates soon about digital community engagement opportunities, workshops and downloadable templates that I’m developing with those experiencing higher ed job loss in mind, and some of the projects I’m working on as a freelance marketing communications strategist and solutions architect. 

More to come about the free digital community engagement opportunity and workshop registration as we get closer to September. 

🎙️ And if you’d be interested in being a guest on a podcast I’m working on to tell the stories of staff experiencing the layoffs, please email me: mattmnazario@gmail.com

Diving Deeper into Freelancing  

I always find myself on a university or school campus somehow (some of my favorite projects from my career are represented here), and this week was no exception. On August 22, I was thrilled to visit Seton Hall University to cover photo and video of my colleague, Mohammed Soriano-Bilal, who has been a brilliant and compassionate leader in the work to advance inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in a learning environment (IDEAL) at Stanford. 

Learn more about how to bring Mohammed to your campus or workplace—he’s an incredible speaker and engages authentically with his audience while gently broaching deep, important topics for bridging in a world divided. 

Next week, I’ll be visiting Fordham University to do the same, which is particularly exciting for me as a triple Jesuit alum with family roots in NYC. I hope to continue taking on freelance photography opportunities for meaningful events like this one; if you need photo/video coverage for an event, contact me, I’d love to hear from you. 

Bay Area Fundraiser on Sept. 27

I’m also looking forward to supporting communications strategy for Karla’s Smile Outreach Ministries, which has upcoming events in the Bay Area that are wonderful opportunities to give back and build community. After working together with Sara Brooks, Chair of the Board of Directors for Karla’s Smile, during our time together at Stanford, I feel so fortunate to continue to collaborate with one another in meaningful ways. 

Please consider buying a ticket to the Still Smiling Luncheon on September 27, 2025, in San José, CA. 

Bicoastal Travel Shenanigans

There are more exciting collaborations in the works that I look forward to sharing about soon. The coming months will also bring more frequent travel for me between the SF Bay Area and the greater NYC area, and even to Seattle at the end of the year; let’s connect if we can when I’m on the west coast this fall:

• Sept. 11-14: I look forward to gathering in person with Stanford colleagues on Sept. 11 on and near campus. Let’s connect if you are around!

• Oct. 16-21: I’m attending the alumni and family weekend, CelebrateUSF, at my alma mater!

• Nov. 24+: I plan to be home in the Bay for Turkey Day week, which is always a wonderful time to see folks. It’s never too early to plan ahead 😉 

• Dec. 22+: I’ll be spending Christmas week in the Bay again before spending the following week in Seattle to close out the year. 

Here’s to many more beautiful connections coming our way as we close out August, and to all the exciting things ahead for all of us. 

💚

—Matt

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About the Blog Author

Matt Nazario-Miller, M.Ed., is #OpentoWork! In July 2025, alongside 362 others, I received a layoff notice from Stanford University due to financial challenges impacting the entire higher education industry. I am currently open to work and actively interviewing for my next career opportunity.

🌎 I’m open to full-time marketing communications, project/change management, and organizational leadership roles, mostly based in major cities on the West and East coasts. I am interested in either fully remote or hybrid rolesbased in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, LA/San Diego, Seattle, Portland, New York City, DC, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia.

Let’s connect: mattnazario.com/contact