Beyond the Classroom
The Duncans support experiences abroad and in the stock market
Matthieu Duncan ’87 knows the power of learning by doing. From his first steps on Wall Street to decades of living abroad, experience has shaped his career as much as the classroom did. It’s why he champions UC Santa Barbara programs that give students real-world challenges that complement the power of public education. Matt and his wife, Marie-Anne, hope their support helps students dig in.
When he was 16, Matt’s father passed away and his family faced significant financial difficulties. Access to an affordable, world-class education set the foundation for everything that followed.
“That’s why I see UC as a public good. It’s a societal benefit that’s important to preserve,” said Matt.
After graduating from UC Santa Barbara with a bachelor’s degree in business economics, Matt earned his MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. He joined Goldman Sachs in New York before quickly moving to London. There, he joined fellow alumni to raise funds for students to study in the United Kingdom. Matt and Marie-Anne later extended that support to the program in France, where the couple resides for a portion of the year.
“Marie-Anne is French, and I’m half French. Understanding other cultures, other ways of doing things, and other perspectives is really important. Supporting students who haven’t been outside the U.S. so they can spend time abroad — especially in France, which is close to our hearts — is a very valuable thing,” said Matt.
“The Duncan Family Education Abroad Scholarship embodies the very spirit of global citizenship we champion at UC Santa Barbara. Matt and Marie-Anne’s profound generosity is rooted in their own rich multicultural experiences and directly empowers our students to study in France, immerse themselves in new cultures, and gain the diverse perspectives essential for navigating our interconnected world. We are deeply thankful for their vision in cultivating a new generation of globally aware leaders,” said Fabio Rambelli, director of UCSB EAP.
Matt and Marie-Anne are drawn to practical experiences that extend far beyond the classroom, like the Division of Social Sciences Dean’s Investment Group. “Finance and financial markets can be taught in a classroom, but there’s nothing like experiencing it firsthand. It was only when I got to Wall Street, on a trading desk, that it really sank in. You learn so much more by having stakes on the line. That’s why I am supporting the Dean’s Investment Group,” said Matt.
In the Division of Social Sciences Dean’s Investment Group, students manage a real fund established through the generous support of donors like Matt. They develop investment strategies, analyze markets, and pitch ideas to alumni advisors.
“The Duncans’ gift has helped us transform the student experience in the Division of Social Sciences. The Dean’s Investment Group gives undergraduates the chance to step into the world of finance, test their ideas with real-time investment decisions, and receive mentorship from both alumni professionals and economics faculty. This program is a showcase in our division-wide commitment to experiential learning: where students move from classroom theory to practical learning, gaining skills and confidence to meet the future,” said Charlie Hale, Sage Sara Miller McCune Dean of Social Sciences.
“The Dean’s Investment Group gives students a ‘finance lab,’ and they can leverage that experience into incredible opportunities right after graduation. The proceeds of the fund go toward supporting scholarships for first-generation students at UC Santa Barbara, which adds a layer of complexity to our strategy and underscores the importance of the entire program,” said Matthew Lang, faculty advisor.
The Dean’s Investment Group and EAP are close to the Duncans, but they are part of a bigger vision: support for public education.
“I had a world-class education at UC Santa Barbara that provided the base for building a fantastic life and career. My life would not have turned out the way it has if UC had not been accessible, and I’m eternally grateful,” said Matt.
Published November 2025
I had a world-class education at UC Santa Barbara that provided the base for building a fantastic life and career. My life would not have turned out the way it has if the University of California had not been accessible, and I’m eternally grateful.
Matthieu Duncan '87, pictured below with his wife, Marie-Anne
