Sandra Mathews, Ph.D.
Old Main 303
TBD
The third-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the majority. The second-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the minority. The first-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking.
– A. A. Milne
Ph.D.: U.S. West and Latin American History, University of New Mexico, 1998
M.A.: Latin American Studies (History and Political Science), University of New Mexico, 1988
Languages: Spanish
I have also studied Portuguese (fluency), Russian, German
Publications: Monographs
Mathews, Sandra, and Bruce Gjeltema. A New History of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico, forthcoming.
Mathews, Sandra. Between Breaths: A Teacher in the Alaskan Bush. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, forthcoming 2nd edition.
Laegreid, Renee, and Sandra Mathews, Eds. Women on the North American Plains. Lubbock: Texas Tech University Press, 2012.
Honor Award for Anthology, Nebraska Center for the Book, 2012
Melzer, Richard, Robert Torrez, and Sandra Mathews. A History of New Mexico Since Statehood. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2012
Gaspar Pérez de Villagrá Award, Historical Society of New Mexico, 2012
Mathews, Sandra. American Indians in the Early West. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2008.
Mathews, Sandra. Between Breaths: A Teacher in the Alaskan Bush. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2006.
Mathews, Sandra. Everything You Need to Know About Your History Course. New York: Longman Publishers, 2000.
Chapters, Journal Articles, Encyclopedia Entries
Multiple, please ask for C.V.
* indicates current courses
West
New Mexico History
Indigenous History *
Topics in Indian History: Red Power and Indigenous Activism in the 1960s *
Myth in the U.S. West *
The Wild West? Gender in the American West *
Environmental History *
Latin American History/World
Founding of the Americas (Spain, France, Russia) *
Intro to Latin America *
Revolutions in Latin America *
Pirates, Corsairs, and Buccaneers *
History of Mexico
History of Cuba
Biography (Settler Colonialism, Pirates, Indigenous/Red Power Leaders, Gender in the West) *
World Civilization *
United States
US to 1877
Nebraska History *
Interdisciplinary Courses (Biology/Psychology/History)
Aldo Leopold
John Muir
Rachel Carson
"Doing the Environment": Visions & Ventures 2001
[Recent only]
Nominated for Margaret J. Prouty Faculty Teaching Award, 2022-2023
John Topham and Susan Redd Butler Off-Campus Faculty Research Award (Brigham Young University), 2021-2022, 2017-2018, and 2010-2011
Ameritas Faculty Fellowship, 2017-2018 (and three other times)
Nebraska Wesleyan Advisor of the Year Award, 2016
Nebraska Wesleyan Scholar Award, 2015-2016
Scholar Award, 2010-2011, New Mexico State Historian/Historical Society of New Mexico
[non-academic]
When Not Teaching:
I love to triathlon (swim, bike, run), travel, visit family, camp, hike/walk, kayak, photography, research and write, golf, carve, draw--anything outside.
Triathlete
Coached by REDS Tri Team (2012-present)
Blue70 Ambassador Team (2020-Present)
Cupcake Cartel Team (2021-present)
BASE Ambassadors Team (2021-present)
Some Accomplishments
I am devoted to a healthy mind and healthy body. I am very goal-oriented, and I choose to research and write because I choose to be active in my field. I train for Triathlons because I want to remain physically healthy, as well. To date, I have completed dozens of sprint triathlons, several Olympic triathlons, a Half Ironman and 2 Half Ironman relays, dozens of 5ks and 10ks, several Half Century rides and half marathons.