Communications studies lecturer Sally Matthews’ professional journey displays her drive, growth as an individual and deep appreciation for the transforming power of speech. 

Matthews grew up in Topeka and was born in Kansas City, Kansas. Matthews’ educational and professional journey was motivated by life lessons, career-changing mentor, and an unwavering faith in the importance of human connections.

After earning a Bachelor of Social Welfare from the University of Kansas, Matthews started working in the field of social welfare. She returned to KU to pursue a master’s degree in communication studies as her interest in the value of communication in fostering relationships and personal growth expanded. It was here at Washburn that she found her actual calling: teaching. 

“My calling for teaching actually began when I taught at KU as a graduate student, Matthews said. I was honored with the Divisional Award for Teaching Excellence, which was based on student recommendations and votes” Matthews said. 

Matthews’s love for education was sparked by these early teaching experiences, and it would only deepen throughout her career.

“He was just a wonderful professor. He held his class just beautifully,” Matthews said, recalling the influence of Kevin O’Connell. “He was the blueprint for how I wanted to teach.”

During her graduate school years, Matthews met one of her most influential instructors, a religious lecturer named Dr. Bob Shelton. His approach to connecting pupils while creating a relevant learning environment affected her teaching design.

Another significant figure in her career was Kevin O’Connell, KU communication professor, whose kindness and support during difficult times inspired her determination to help others in the same way.

Shortly after receiving her master’s degree in 1984, Matthews received an unexpected invitation to teach at Washburn University. Her primary interests were interpersonal communication and public speaking, but there were no programs offered in these areas. However, when the department requested her to teach advertising, a subject she had never taught before, Matthews saw it as a chance to gain some experience. 

Despite her doubts, she took on the challenge, developed an interactive course and saw right away how important experiential, group-based learning is. This event would affect her future teaching approach.

In her initial advertising course, the classroom was filled with 68 students, many of whom were already professionals in the industry. Matthews, who had only been given her textbook a week before classes started, was flustered but not discouraged. 

“I don’t think I can do that… and then I went, oh my God, that’s my foot in the door,” Matthews said, recalling the moment she accepted her first teaching role in advertising. 

Matthews improvised by forming marketing groups where students came up with their own advertising campaigns, a step that ignited their interest and imagination. This class began Matthews’ teaching career at Washburn, where she would eventually teach public speaking classes, interpersonal communication classes, business communication classes and more.

A particular highlight of her experience was her connection with Dr. Meredith Moore, an experienced professor and the future chair of the communication department. Matthews calls Moore a mentor and a friend and with her in the classroom ranked among the best experiences in her professional life.

Matthews went on to teach at Washburn as an adjunct professor for a number of years, juggling her academic career with her other professional pursuits.

Matthews took a temporary leave from teaching in 1996 to care for her newborn baby. Beginning in the early 2000s, she resumed her teaching career, first at the University of Northern Iowa and then at Washburn in 2004. 

She finally got an offer to work as a full-time instructor at Washburn in 2024, which she describes as a long-awaited dream. 

“It’s never too late to be what you might have been,” Matthews said. 

The core of Matthews’ teaching approach is interactive learning and creating a safe space for all students, particularly those who struggle with public speaking. She recalls one student in particular who she thought might pass out while giving a speech. 

The student’s accomplishment of successfully delivering a demonstration on horse grooming under Matthews’ supervision had a significant emotional impact on both the teacher and the student. Since a personal connection is essential to effective communication, Matthews advises students to select subjects they are enthusiastic about.

James Schnoebelen, professor and chair of Washburn University’s communication studies department, calls Matthews a compassionate and knowledgeable teacher. He speaks of her success in teaching public speaking, particularly in light of students’ overall anxiety about the topic. 

“She does a great job of educating them and walking them through the process,” Schnoebelen said.

While Matthews has volunteered exclusively in her department, organizing events related to public speaking, Schnoebelen continues that she would be more than willing to volunteer outside of the department if given the chance. Schnoebelen also refers to Matthews’s impact on the academic and professional growth of students. 

“Good communication skills are essential for learners who are going into the workforce,” Schnoebelen said. “[Matthews] supports their efforts to develop these skills and gives them the resources they need to shine in conversations and in their professional lives.”

Her teaching is based on the philosophy of making learning enjoyable and interactive. In order to help students relax and establish a connection with one another, she incorporates interactive participation and group projects into her public speaking lessons. 

Before moving on to more complex subjects, she also gives a demonstration speech at the start of the semester to help students feel at ease and engaged.

Outside of the classroom, Matthews uses her passion for gardening and plants as a kind of therapy. She frequently discusses this with her students. 

Her emphasis is on creating confident people rather than just speaking effectively. Putting a focus on progress rather than perfection. Matthews offers students confidence that they may use outside of the classroom. 

“It takes patience, care, and attention to develop anything, whether it’s flowers or students. Each of them has their own interests and expectations. Just like us,” Matthews said. 

Her life and profession have been centered around the connection between educating students and growing plants. She often utilizes it to help her students see themselves more with empathy, understanding that every individual’s idea of growth is unique.

This comparison between growing plants and teaching students has become a theme in her life and career.

Matthews is also an active member of a book club and loves to read. The historical fiction written by Kristin Hannah is one of her favorite authors and has had an enormous impact on her.

Be open to the unexpected,” she said. “Some of the best things in my life came from chances I almost didn’t take.”

Mousam Bhandari, junior computer information sciences and data analytics major, enrolled in one of Matthews’ public speaking classes in the spring of 2024 and says he appreciates her ability to make the class feel less stressful.

“She connects with students and makes certain everybody feels comfortable, even if you’re nervous about public speaking,” Bhandari said.

He adds that Matthews’ encouraging teaching style helped him gain comfort through the course. 

“The way she organizes the class with collaborative tasks makes one feel more at [ease],” Bhandari said.

Matthews enjoys reading historical literature as well. She particularly enjoys Kristin Hannah’s books, especially “The Nightingale,” which narrates the story of two sisters in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, and “The Women,” which is a novelized account of the women nurses who served during the Vietnam War. 

One thing that students may not know about Matthews is that she adores Halloween. Known as the “neighborhood witch,” she participates in the more amusing, mysterious aspects of the festivities by dressing up for Halloween and even volunteering at haunted house events. 

Regarding Washburn University, Matthews shares her excitement about the institution’s efforts to promote diversity, particularly the ones promoted by the recently elected president, who is working to bring more international students to campus.

Matthews loves everything about Washburn’s transformation into a more global school, which she feels enhances the educational process for every student. 

Both personal and professional connections have been present between Matthews and Washburn for a long time. Her mother was a Washburn student in the early 1930s, and her father, Warren Shaw, was captain of the school’s football team. 

Her father’s favorite quote, which now adorns her desk, reads:

“The purpose of all education is to prepare you for the unexpected.”

It is a philosophy that Matthews lives by every day, guiding her students with patience, encouragement and an unwavering belief in their potential.

Edited by Stuti Khadka and Jeremy Ford