Professional Background
Stacks Image 1160

Jim Mathews, M.Ed. provides students, faculty, staff and parents with critical information about college drinking in an entertaining and non-judgmental manner. In addition to a description of Jim’s presentations, workshops, and books – vital information about alcohol’s impact on college students and their friends and families is also available on this website. Jim ws the Coordinator of Health Education at Merrimack College in Massachusetts. Prior to this position, for 13 years he was the Assistant to the Vice President for Alcohol and Other Drug Programs at Keene State College in New Hampshire where the campus newspaper identified his courses as the “most popular courses” at Keene State.


He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Manhattan College and his masters in Education from Queens College both in New York City. Jim is a certified trainer for the Prevention Research Institute, has a Certificate in Chemical Dependency Therapy, was a participant in the Professional in Residence Program at the Betty Ford Center in California and is the author of “Beer, Booze and Books…a sober look at higher education,” “The ABCs of College Drinking…25 tips for navigating the collegiate party scene” and “The Parents Guide to College Drinking…facing the challenge together.”

The NCAA has approved Jim’s presentations as part of its Sports Sciences Speaker Grant Program. Jim has been recognized by the New Hampshire legislature for his work in alcohol and other drug education and abuse program.  He has appeared on ABC-TV, WOR-TV, CNN, NBC Radio and New Hampshire Public Radio and has been featured in numerous magazines and newspaper articles. Jim has spoken to over 500,000 students on more than 500 campuses throughout the country.

_________________________________________________
Jim Matthews is one of the top campus alcohol educators in the country.
Dr. Will Keim; Author, Educator, Campus Minister


Professional Experience

  • U.S. Treasury Dept. Bureau of Customs: Sky Marshal                                
  • New York City Board of Education: Health and Physical Education Teacher
  • Wilderness Experiences: Founder, Director
  • Nantahala Outdoor Center: Promotions Consultant and Guide
  • North Carolina State University: Health and Physical Education Faculty
  • Boston University Sargent Camp: College Programs Director
  • Keene State College: Asst. to Vice President for Alcohol & Other Drug Programs
  • Merrimack College: Coordinator of Health Education

Education and Training
  • Manhattan College: Bachelor of Science: Health & Physical Education
  • Queens College: Master of Education: Health & Physical Education
  • Keene State College: Certificate in Chemical Dependency Therapy
  • Prevention Research Institute: Certified Trainer
  • Betty Ford Center: Professional in Residence Program
  • New Hampshire State Police: Drug Recognition Expert Program

Professional Activities
 Affiliation
  • MyStudentBody.com: Advisory Board
  • USDOE Northeast Regional Center for Drug Free Schools & Communities: Advisory Board
  • New Hampshire Prevention Association: Advisory Board
  • Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Phi Kappa Theta: Adviser
  • Order of Omega: Member, Adviser

 Presenter at Regional and National Conferences
  • National Association for Campus Activities
  • National Association for Student Personnel Administrators
  • U.S. Department of Education FIPSE National Meeting
  • BACCHUS Regional Conference
  • BACCHUS National Conference
  • New England College Alcohol Network
  • Georgia State Higher Education Network
  • New York Statewide College Conference
  • Maryland Statewide Conference

 Conference Keynotes
  • New Hampshire Substance Abuse and Treatment Professionals
  • California State University System Administrators

 Media Appearances
  • CNN TV News
  • NBC Radio
  • WKBK Radio - Keene, NH
  • WOR TV - New York, NY
  • WABC TV - New York, NY
  • WMUR TV News - NH
  • New Hampshire Public Radio
  • Numerous campus newspapers as well as radio & television stations

Jim has been recognized by the New Hampshire State Legislature for Outstanding Work in Substance Abuse Prevention

6 Reasons campuses book Jim Matthews year after year:



Jim knows students.
With more than 20 years of experience working with elementary, secondary and college students as a teacher, adjunct professor, administrator and parent of two children himself, he presents this sensitive topic in a way that students appreciate and enjoy.

Jim's programs contain critical, up-to-date and applicable information about alcohol and students. 
While acknowledging the value of abstinence, programs include the pertinent information that can assist students in avoiding the negative impact of high risk alcohol consumption.

Jim handles this topic with humor and sincerity.
His humor shines and helps ease some of the tension and concern that students may have when discussing such a controversial topic.

Jim adeptly integrates extensive multi-media appreciated by today’s students.
Combining lecture with numerous movie clips, video interviews of students, commercials and other media, he captures the attention of students, parents, faculty and everyone else in the audience.

Jim has both personal and professional experience in dealing with alcohol issues.
He grew up in Queens, a blue collar neighborhood in New York City where alcohol and alcohol problems knew no boundaries for Jim, his family and his friends.

Jim is one of the easiest professional speakers you’ll ever work with!
Top

Jim has appeared on these and many other campuses:
Alfred University, Allegheny College, Aquinas College, Ashland College, Assumption College, Barry College, Bates College, Baylor University, Berry College, Boston College, Boston University, Bryant College, Buffalo State University, California Maritime Academy, Cabrini College, Caldwell College, Centre College, Colby College, Colby Sawyer College, College of New Jersey, College of St. Rose, Connecticut College, Concordia University, C.W. Post College, Daniel Webster College, DePauw University, Delta Upsilon Leadership Conference, Dennison, Drew, Eastern Connecticut State, Endicott College, Ferris State, Franklin Pierce College, Frostburg State, Furman University, Gallaudet University, Georgia College and State University, Goldey Beacom College, Greenfield Community College, Green Mountain College, Grinnell, Hope, Iona College, Jacksonville, John A. Logan College, Johnson and Wales, Keene State College, Keystone College, LaGrange College, Landmark College, Manhattan College, Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, Merrimack College, Miami  University, Midwest State University, Monmouth University, Mount St. Mary, New England College, New Hampshire College, New Hampshire Technical, Niagara College, North Dakota State University, Norwich College, Notre Dame, Ocean St. Ctr. Law & Citizen Ed., Oregon State, Pennsylvania State (Berks, College Park, Mt. Alto, & Schyulkill), Phi Kappa Theta National Leadership Conference, Plymouth State University, Providence College, Quinnipiac College, Ramapo College, Rhode Island College, Rivier, College, Rowan College, Salem State University, Sacred Heart University, Seattle University, Simmons College, Southampton University, Southern Oregon State University, Southwest Ohio Consortium, Springfield College, State University of New York(Cortland, Oneonta, Plattsurgh), St. Anselm’s College, St. Joseph’s College (Maine), St. Joseph’s College (New York), Thomas College, Towson University, United States Coast Guard Academy, University of Alberta, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Hartford, University of Oregon, University of Maine (Orono, Machias, Farmington, Presque Isle), University of Massachusetts, University of Miami, University of Minnesota, University of New Hampshire, University of New Mexico, University of North Dakota, University of the Pacific, University of Utah, University of Scranton, University of Tampa, University of Texas, University of Utah, University of Vermont, Ursinus College, Wake Forest University, Waynesburg College, Weatherford College, Wesleyan College, West Chester University, Western Oregon State University, Winona State University
Copyright: James Matthews Contact Jim