Role at the Graduate School 

Sarah’s role as Director of Operations and Strategic initiatives will focus on the behind-the-scenes tasks such as the Graduate School newsletter and website maintenance. Additionally, Sarah hopes to streamline processes to “help make things easier for our students like applying for travel funds and making sure they have all the information they need.” This is a new role at the Graduate School, and Sarah is excited to develop new initiatives, making things more accessible for Temple graduate students.  

A Triple Owl 

Sarah has had a long history at Temple, starting at age 17 when she first arrived on-campus as an undergraduate student. “I grew up in a small town in Central Pennsylvania, and wanted a chance to explore a bigger place. Temple was one of the last universities I visited, and the moment I set foot on campus, I knew it was where I was meant to be, and I’ve been here ever since.” Sarah completed her BS in Tourism and Hospitality Management with a concentration in Event Management in 2011. During her time at STHM, Sarah completed an internship with Temple’s Office of Special Events which transitioned to a full-time position post-graduation. While completing her Master’s in Educational Administration at the College of Education and Human Development, she met her future boss who encouraged her to apply for a position  within the College. After graduating with her master’s in 2014 Sarah went on to complete her EdD in 2022 with the Graduate School’s Dean, Dr. Renée Tobin, serving as the chair of her dissertation committee. Sarah thrived “working under Renée’s leadership, and honed the skills for this position with the Graduate School.” Sarah was attracted to the role at the Graduate School for the opportunity to make a bigger impact within the larger Temple ecosystem. 

Beyond the Office 

When she’s not working, Sarah is “chasing around my 4 and 8-year old kids!” Sarah also enjoys creative activities such as crafting and painting. “I tend to gravitate work-wise to analytical projects… and our work doesn’t really have an end point. I like that with painting, crafting, and the creative process, you can tie it up with a bow at the end.”

Why I Enjoy Working with Graduate Students 

Sarah enjoys the passion and goals that graduate students bring to their studies and the Temple community. “It’s very rewarding being around that type of passion and drive, and something that I love about higher education in general. It’s not something you see in other industries.”

Temple Favorites 

Hank’s Cafe in Ritter hall is a hidden gem. They have amazing coffees and teas, and the chicken banh mi is great!" 

Advice for Graduate Students 

“Never lose sight on why you chose your program of study. There will be challenges, but remember the end goal, and take advantage of all that Temple has to offer.” Sarah also encourages students to take advantage of Philadelphia, and recommend Monk's Cafe in Center City for dining, and Kelly Drive for anyone that enjoys running, walking or cycling.

Other Fun Facts 

Sarah’s favorite dinosaur is the  triceratops.