Matt Shepherd

Director High5 School of the Arts

Born and raised in Dayton, OH. My now bride, Shelby and I made the decision that we wanted to build our family here in Fort Mill, SC. As of Today, Shelby and I have been blessed with two beautiful daughters, Tenley Rae and Oaklie Paige, my girls!

Growing up I always had a deep passion and desire to get to know others, not just surface level, but through personal relationships built on trust and true connections. My father modeled this in all aspects of his life, but it wasn’t until he started working for Montgomery County Board of DDS (MCBDDS) in Dayton, OH, that I found my true purpose in life.

In 2012, I began working for MCBDDS at Jergens Center, one of our five programs ran by Montgomery County. This is where I learned who I was, what I was meant to do and truthfully, more about myself than any other situation or experience in my life. After 5 years at Jergens, I graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University and transitioned to the case management side within MCBDDS, handling all aspects of waiver funded services from day program to residential and annual ISP meetings.

In 2019, I was offered the opportunity to join a local privatized company to create/build out a residential program to support the growing need within our community. In two years with Better Living Home Health, we extended our agency to 22 homes, with a 16 (one bed apartment building) and over 65 people living and doing life within their communities. In 2021, I left Better Living as Shelby, and I found out we were expecting our first child.

From 2021 to 2025 I worked for a local privatized, family-owned preschool organization running HR and operations, as well as a National Commercial Roofing company covering North and South Carolina. I learned an exponential amount during these years, but one thing was clear: my heart was not fulfilled, and I was not doing what I was created to do. I have since joined the team at Adult Enrichment Centers and have the chance to drive impact and connection daily!