On Feb 13, 2025, Tracy Routsong, associate dean and professor of the College of Arts and Sciences, received the Student Life Achieving Excellence award. She received a certificate for the award by being recognized by the students of Washburn.
In two years, it will be two decades of her being a part of Washburn University. When Routsong was very young she dreamed of being both a pediatric cardiologist and a horse trainer, even though at the time she had never ridden a horse. She had, however, read every horse-related book at her school library, so was sure it was putting theory into action.
At Cornell College, she developed an interest in the interplay between communication and psychology. She then completed her master’s degree in organizational communication from the University of Northern Iowa.
It was during this time she discovered she loved teaching. To be sure that teaching was the new goal, she taught for three years in Minnesota, before returning to complete her Ph.D. from the University of Iowa.
She chose Washburn for its teaching-focused environment, conveniently located near family. She felt an immediate connection to Washburn and loved the fact that it is student-centered.
”I was in the military and I had a lot of military credits,” said Paris Elizabeth Taylor, senior integrated studies major. “She looked at a lot of my past classes, even taking into consideration my time in the military, and then asked me about things like, ‘What did I like to do? What was I passionate about? What did I care about, to learn more about?’”
Many of her achievements at Washburn include the Ned Fleming Excellence Award in Teaching, Center for Teaching and Excellence award for diversity and many other career accomplishments for teaching and learning.
“When I am here on campus and I’m working with students, and whether it’s advising with students or in the classroom of students, it is where I want to be,” Routsong said.
“I have been working with Tracy since I started here at Washburn, which is going on four years. She’s my supervisor, and she has been excellent. She is very approachable. She loves the work that she does with her students, not only in her classes but also advising them,” said Jeannette Nobo, academic advisor.
This spring semester, she is teaching CN 650, CN 698, working with Integrated Studies students on Capstone projects.
Edited by Jeremy Ford and Morgan Albrecht.
