Faculty Highlight: Patty Mathison

One year ago, Patty Mathison joined New Century College as the Associate Director for the Center for Social Action and Integrative Learning (SAIL). As an NCC faculty member, Patty teaches NCLC 295: Leadership and Community Engagement and NCLC 294: Mason Service Corps. These two courses allow Patty to share her experience and passion with her students. Patty’s contributions, though, extend far beyond any designated class meeting date and time.

Recently, Patty was recognized for her expert group facilitation in Mason’s LeaderSHAPE, a six-day workshop where select students build community and enhance their leadership skills. LeaderSHAPE is just one area where Patty applies her talents. As her students and colleagues know, Patty’s commitment to student development runs deep, and she shares that with everyone she meets.

For Patty, each day is different---one morning she may meet with students in a Living and Learning Community (LLC). Next, she will teach a class in leadership and community engagement. Late night, she might meet students planning the AIDs Walk DC. In between these commitments, she’ll coordinate logistics for a group of students to participate in an alternative spring break program in New York City, Philadelphia or even El Salvador.

With all the different programs she coordinates, Patty tries to focus on one thing, “I want to encourage students to find something they are really passionate about and then look for ways to connect their skills to a hands-on experience in support of that passion.”

Patty with students representing George Mason at
AIDS Walk DC.

Patty’s professional career grew from personal experience. As a high school student on a service learning trip and then later as an Americorps volunteer, Patty found that hands-on service both motivated her and gave her the opportunity to learn practical skills of project management, group dynamics and community engagement.

Patty said, “Americorps really pushed me out of my shell…I found something I’m passionate about.”

Now with SAIL, Patty is able to work directly with students, helping them consider new perspectives, engage with communities while focusing on community strengths, not what they lack. This “asset-based approach” can be a new way for students to approach community-based service and learning, and Patty helps them to cultivate their own understanding of socially responsible leadership.

"Patty's ability to connect to students and engage them in complex conversations about community engagement and social justice is an inspiration to all of us here," says Dr. Wendy Wagner, SAIL's Director of Community Engagment. 

“My background is all leadership and community engagement… This is really my perfect, dream job,” Patty said.

This summer, Patty will assist with new student orientations, plan projects focused on lasting community engagement, and coordinate DC Sneak Peak, an extended orientation experience for incoming freshmen. Through this service opportunity, a small group of students will visit DC, discuss food security issues and assist community partner William Penn House in one of its community gardens. The trip will be led by SAIL intern Jimmy Green (check out this article about Jimmy).

Patty said, “I am excited to see the students learn and gain confidence…they push me to learn more and be more engaged.”