Matthew McNiece serves as Director of the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy, as well as Professor and Chair of the Department of History and Government at Howard Payne University. With 20 years of experience in higher education, McNiece brings a broad background in history, government, social sciences, and the liberal arts to his teaching and leadership at HPU.
McNiece primarily teaches courses in United States history and politics, along with topics in global studies. Two of his favorite courses are Christianity, Ethics, and Politics and Perspectives in the Social Sciences. He particularly enjoys these courses because they explore the intersections among different ideas and disciplines, encouraging students to draw upon academic tools from across the liberal arts when considering contemporary questions about human interaction, ethics, and meaning-making.
A strong advocate for the liberal arts tradition, McNiece appreciates Howard Payne University’s commitment to developing the whole person rather than focusing solely on expertise within a narrow academic field. He believes education should prepare students not only for successful careers but also for lives characterized by thoughtful service and responsible citizenship. Through his role with the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy, he has the opportunity to further that mission by helping students engage deeply with ideas and develop the intellectual and personal foundations necessary to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
McNiece’s connection to Howard Payne is particularly significant because he is both an alumnus of the university and a graduate of the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy. His experience as a student shaped his own education and development, and he considers it a privilege to now give back to the university and program that contributed so significantly to his life. His work at HPU allows him to invest in students while helping carry forward the traditions and educational mission that he experienced firsthand.
McNiece earned a Ph.D. in History from Texas Christian University and a Master of Arts in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago. He earned his Bachelor of Science in History from Howard Payne University through the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy, with minors in Government and English.
His scholarly interests have resulted in publications and presentations spanning history, social sciences, sports, education, and military history. His work includes the book Military Aircraft, 1919–1945, co-authored with Justin D. Murphy and published by ABC-CLIO, as well as contributions to the Encyclopedia of World War I and Encyclopedia of World War II. His scholarship has also examined disability, sports, and social science education, including the chapter “Role Models and Regular People: Hegemonies of Ability in the World of Murderball” and a related peer-reviewed article, “Murderball in the Classroom: Students, Sports, and the Social Science Perspectives.”
McNiece has presented at professional and scholarly conferences and has contributed to public conversations on topics related to history, education, and civic life. His recent professional work includes a 2023 presentation on the historic Academy of Freedom renovation at the Texas Association of Physical Plant Administrators Annual Educational Conference. He has also contributed an invited opinion essay to the Baptist Standard.
Through his teaching, scholarship, and leadership, McNiece remains committed to the liberal arts tradition and to helping students develop the knowledge, perspective, and intellectual curiosity needed to serve others and participate thoughtfully in society.
