Taking a Deep Breath: Contemplative Pedagogy in the College Classroom with Matthew Sargent

In this episode, we sit down with Matthew Sargent, Sociology instructor at Madison College, to explore contemplative pedagogy, an approach to teaching that cultivates presence, awareness, and connection in the classroom. Matthew discusses how practices such as mindful breathing, reflection, and sensory grounding can help students reduce anxiety, build focus, and connect more deeply with themselves and others. He also shares ideas for how educators and institutions can weave contemplation into their daily work to foster belonging and a stronger sense of community.

Dr. Matthew Sargent

BA, Anthropology with Religious Studies minor

University of Louisville, 1996

MA, Sociology

University of Louisville, 1998

PhD, Sociology

University of Kentucky

I have been at Madison College since 2004. Before this, I was a research specialist at UW-Madison working on tobacco control as a part of the state’s program evaluation team. From my education background, my focus has been on theoretical perspectives regarding individuals’ relationships with institutions and the state. In this regard, I have studied how the role of religion and social movements have been influential in social discourse. Outside of theory, however, I have begrudgingly gained a lot of experience as a survey researcher, an evaluator, and a low-level quantitative analyst.

At Madison College, I have been fortunate to be a part of the Sociology Department for twenty years. During this time, I have been the chair of the department, co-chair of the school’s diversity and community relations council, a member of the IT council, and the school’s representative to the Wisconsin Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies.