Sandra Mathews, Ph.D.
If you have questions--please write: smathews [at] nebrwesleyan.edu (smathews[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu). I will check periodically.
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. New Mexico! Albuquerque: University of New Mexico, expected 2027. (4th grade textbook)
Roberts, Calvin A., Sandra Mathews, and Bruce Gjeltema. A History of New Mexico. Revised 5th. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico, expected 2027. (7th grade textbook)
Melzer, Richard, Robert Torrez, Bruce Gjeltema, and Sandra Mathews. A History of New Mexico Since Statehood. Revised 2nd Edition. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, expected 2027. (9th grade textbook)
Mathews, Sandra, and Bruce Gjeltema. A New History of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico, forthcoming. (trade book)
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.
[Current courses only]
West
Indigenous History *
Red Power and Indigenous Activism in the 1960s *
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 *
Biography (Settler Colonialism, Pirates, Indigenous/Red Power Leaders, Gender in the West) *
World Civilization *
United States
Nebraska History *
Interdisciplinary Courses (Biology/Psychology/History)
Aldo Leopold
John Muir
Rachel Carson
"Doing the Environment": Visions & Ventures 2001
Enduring Humanity: What it Means to Be Human through the Lens of Star Trek: The Next Generation (First Year Seminar)
[Recent only]
Dr. Margaret J. Prouty Faculty Teaching Award, 2024 /about-nwu/news-center/history-professor-named-nwus-prouty-award-winner
Ameritas Faculty Fellowship, 2024-2025 (and four other times)
John Topham and Susan Redd Butler Off-Campus Faculty Research Award (Brigham Young University), 2021-2022, 2017-2018, and 2010-2011
º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ Advisor of the Year Award, 2016
º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ Scholar Award, 2015-2016
Scholar Award, 2010-2011, New Mexico State Historian/Historical Society of New Mexico
Student Organization Advisor of the Year, 2009
[non-academic]
When Not Teaching:
I love to triathlon (swim, bike, run), gravel cycle, travel, visit family, camp, hike/walk, kayak, photograph, 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)
Coeur Sports Team (2024-present)
Some Accomplishments
I am devoted to a healthy mind and healthy body. I am very goal-oriented. I research and write to remain active in my field. I train for Triathlons because I want to remain physically healthy. To date, I have completed dozens of sprint triathlons, several Olympic triathlons, a Half Ironman and 2 Half Ironman relays, several gravel races, dozens of 5ks and 10ks, several Half Century rides and half marathons, and even a 5k swim race.