Jerry Mathis Young Teacher Award

Jerry served as President in 1985 and was a Professor of Speech and Theater at Sauk Valley College. He coached individual events for a while, but was much more active in oral interpretation festival competitions. Mathis published and presented several papers at national conferences on oral interpretation. He directed numerous outstanding theater productions during his tenure at Sauk Valley College. An Endowed scholarship in his name has been established at Sauk Valley College. Shortly after his death, the College also built a new state of the art theater and named it the Jerry Mathis Theater. He won several outstanding teaching awards at Sauk Valley College and was recognized nationally as an outstanding educator. The Mathis Award is presented to a current Illinois teacher who has taught five or fewer years in the field of communication or theatre and who has demonstrated outstanding potential for success in the discipline.

2026 Jerry Mathis Young Teacher Award Winner

Anneliese Vukotich - College of DuPage

Anneliese Vukotich is an innovative and student-centered communication educator at College of DuPage whose influence reaches well beyond the classroom. Known for listening closely and meeting students where they are, she helps them connect course concepts to their lives, careers, and communities. Her teaching encourages students to build confidence, recognize their strengths, develop professional identities, and imagine where their education can take them. Although serving as an adjunct faculty member, Anneliese has become a trusted and highly respected campus leader. She connects students with resources, professional networks, and meaningful opportunities while contributing actively to departmental and college-wide initiatives. Her creativity and thoughtful perspective have strengthened new curriculum development, and her work with the Women’s Studies Committee includes leading marketing and communication efforts, planning programs, supporting events, and co-facilitating workshops at college-wide kickoff events. Colleagues describe Anneliese as energetic, organized, dependable, and generous with her time. She continually pursues professional growth through conferences and brings new learning back to her students and peers. Her combination of excellent teaching, compassionate mentorship, collaborative service, and dedication to improving the student experience reflects the outstanding promise honored by the Jerry Mathis Young Teacher Award. She represents the bright future of communication education in Illinois.