Matthew Mugo Fields

Executive Vice President & General Manager of Supplemental and Intervention Solutions

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

San Diego, CA USA

“Learn how to learn—part of that is learning to learn things you’re not that interested in. Being disciplined and focused enough to learn stuff that doesn’t seem interesting at first is really important.”

Videos

By Roadtrip Nation

Matthew Mugo Fields

Milestones

My road in life took a while to figure out.

Immigrated to the U.S. from Barbados when I was a child.

Transitioning into the U.S. school system was hard for me—I was always underestimated, but I had a teacher who supported me and got me back on track.

Growing up, my family was very poor and I couldn’t afford to go to college.

My teacher and people in my community rallied together to raise money to send me to college—this generosity sparked my passion in education and my desire to give back.

Received my bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College, then attended Harvard University, where I received a dual master’s degree in business administration and education.

While at Harvard, I co-founded a tutoring company which later became the Rocket Group, a company that uses technology to improve education and advance the field of online learning.

Worked at McGraw-Hill Education helping to develop adaptive learning programs for students.

I now work for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt as an executive vice president and general manager in charge of the company’s supplemental curriculum portfolio and intervention solutions.

Keep following my journey

Education

High School

Bachelor
Morehouse College

Graduate
Business Administration and Management, General
Harvard University

Graduate
Education, General
Harvard University

Career

Executive Vice President & General Manager of Supplemental and Intervention Solutions

I am an advocate dedicated to ensuring that academic success is attainable for all students.

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

Education

Technology

Helping People

Day to Day

I manage the development and growth of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's supplemental curriculum portfolio, which includes intervention and assessment offerings for students. The main goal of my job is to find ways to engage students and support classrooms. One of the most exciting parts of my job is working with educators to help their students achieve their greatest potential.

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for high school students

Seek out mentors and listen to them when they give you advice. Learn from the people who have come before you. You can master anything you want, but you have to apply yourself.

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Society in General:

"You aren't smart enough to go to college."

In Barbados, I was always a really good student, but coming into the U.S. school system, I struggled. When I was in elementary / middle school, I was held back and put into classes that were basically for students who were never going to go to college. I was underestimated and teachers felt like I wasn't capable. It made me doubt myself, but I had the support of family and other teachers that believed in me and helped me succeed.

Challenges I Overcame

First-Generation Immigrant

Financial

School Stress

Matthew Mugo Fields

Executive Vice President & General Manager of Supplemental and Intervention Solutions

Videos

Matthew Mugo Fields

Milestones

Education

Career

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

My work combines:

Education

Technology

Helping People

Day to Day

Advice for Getting Started

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Society in General:

Challenges I Overcame

Related Leaders