Laurier Associate Professor Sara Matthews honoured with inaugural McCall MacBain Leading Educators Award

Sept. 9, 2026

Sara Matthews, associate professor of Communication Studies and Cultural Studies in Wilfrid Laurier University’s Faculty of Arts, has been named a recipient of the inaugural McCall MacBain Leading Educators Award.

Since 2021, the McCall MacBain Foundation has awarded full scholarships to exceptional undergraduate students to pursue post-graduate degrees at McGill University. The McCall MacBain Leading Educators Award gives these scholars an opportunity to honour the educators who have made a meaningful difference in their lives and helped shape their journeys.

Just 12 educators from around the world were selected for the award, which recognizes the lasting impact of mentorship, leadership and personal connection in helping students build the confidence to achieve their goals.

“Winning an award for teaching impact is particularly meaningful to me because it signals something that we don’t often get to see, ” says Matthews. “The way learning extends beyond the time of the classroom and continues to shape the lives of students.”

Matthews was nominated for the award by Laurier graduate and 2021 McCall MacBain scholar Hayley Newman-Petryshen (BA ’21), whose journey was shaped by Matthews in a first-year seminar course, Post-apocalyptic Global Futures.

“It was in complete contrast to the traditional education that I had up to that point,” says Newman-Petryshen. “Professor Matthews made me think in a very different way.”

Matthews’ courses examine difficult subjects including genocide, war and social conflict. She creates a classroom environment where students can approach these topics with thoughtfulness and understanding, recognizing that each brings their own stories, perspectives and life experiences to the conversation.

“I think there needs to be some skill for an educator to be able to hold space – an intellectual space – but one where we understand that knowledge has emotional impact,” says Matthews. “I guess in my best moments I try to be flexible and match the demands of a classroom.”

Matthews was also instrumental in nurturing Newman-Petryshen’s passion for social and environmental justice. During her time at Laurier, Newman-Petryshen switched majors from Political Science to Global Studies.

With the assistance of her McCall MacBain scholarship, Newman-Petryshen completed her master’s degree at McGill University, focusing on the menstrual equity movement in Canada. It was research she began pursuing while at Laurier.

“There are people in your life who kind of just stick,” says Newman-Petryshen. “Professor Matthews was extremely impactful during my time at Laurier.”

Matthews and Newman-Petryshen reconnected during a virtual celebration for McCall MacBain Leading Educators Award recipients and their nominators that took place Sept. 8.

“The relationships we develop with students aren’t just for one class or even one term,” says Matthews. “They continue to develop over years.”