Faulkner University alumnus Matt Oliver was recognized with the Distinguished Alumnus Award during the 2026 Marketplace Faith Friday Forums for the College of Arts and Sciences’ Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Department.
Oliver, a native of Augusta, Georgia, moved to Montgomery to attend Faulkner University, where he earned a degree in legal studies in 2020 before continuing his education at the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law. He graduated with his Juris Doctor in 2023.
Today, Oliver serves as an associate with Swatek, Vaughn and Bryan, an Alabama governmental affairs firm where he has worked in various roles since 2019. The firm represents a wide range of clients across multiple levels of Alabama government.
“I enjoy the interactions with people and working to make the state a better place to live,” Oliver said.
Oliver credits his time at Faulkner University with helping shape both his career path and personal values. Through internships and professional connections made during his years as a student, he was able to build relationships that ultimately led to his current position.
“My time at Faulkner actually led me to my current job through internships and connections,” he said. “Faulkner helped me learn a hard work ethic and how to best focus my time outside of academics. I couldn’t be more thankful for those seven combined years.”
Oliver also said the faculty at both Faulkner University and Jones School of Law had a lasting impact on his approach to leadership and service.
“My professors taught me to put people first and to have high integrity in order to let my light for Jesus shine,” he said.
Oliver lives in Pike Road with his wife, Paisley, and their son, Callahan. The family attends Landmark Church.