We really are serving our region, our state as a whole, and our students are representative of that.
So when we’re talking about student success, it’s really about how do we ensure that our students are successful not only while they’re here at Sonoma State, but also when they leave Sonoma State. How are they being successful in the workforce? How are they being successful in their communities? And how are they being successful in their own lives, in their own families?
So when we’re talking about student success, it’s really about that holistic perspective of ensuring that our students are successful in all aspects of their lives. And that’s really what I try to focus on in my role here, is really ensuring that we’re providing the support, the resources, the services that our students need to be successful not only while they’re here, but beyond graduation as well.
Q: What are some of your goals for the future at Sonoma State and in higher education in general?
A: I think my goals for the future are really about continuing to build those pathways for our students, continuing to provide those opportunities for our students to be successful.
One thing that I’ve really been focusing on in my role here is really working on building those partnerships with our community, with our industry partners, with our K-12 partners, to really ensure that our students have those opportunities to be successful not only while they’re here, but beyond graduation as well.
So my goals for the future really are about continuing to build those partnerships, continuing to provide those opportunities for our students, and really ensuring that our students have the support and resources that they need to be successful in all aspects of their lives.
And I think that’s really the key to student success, is ensuring that our students have those opportunities, have those resources, have that support to be successful in all aspects of their lives. And that’s really what I try to focus on in my role here at Sonoma State, is really ensuring that our students have those opportunities to be successful.
Q: Thank you so much for sharing your insights and experiences with us, Sarah. It’s clear that your passion for helping students succeed is making a positive impact at Sonoma State and in higher education as a whole.
My journey in the California State higher education system has been a fulfilling one, starting from Cal State San Bernardino to my current role at Sonoma State University. The contrast between Northern and Southern California regions is stark, but the unity within the Cal State system is always a source of excitement for me. It is a platform where collaboration and innovation thrive, enabling us to serve the state while focusing on region-specific initiatives.
In my current position at Sonoma State, my focus on community engagement has been a key aspect of my work. Prior to joining Sonoma State, I gained valuable experience at the University of Kentucky, a land-grant institution, where I learned about the importance of serving the community and meeting the state’s needs. This experience has shaped my belief in the significance of maintaining strong ties with the community, as it helps us understand their needs, prepare our students for diverse career paths, and instill a sense of civic responsibility in them.
As the manager of the student access and success team, the concept of “access” holds a central place in my responsibilities. Ensuring that students have access to resources, technology, and support is crucial for their success. Technology plays a significant role in higher education, and it is essential that students have the knowledge and support to navigate it effectively. Providing language support for students who are native speakers of other languages is also a priority, as it ensures that they can access services and support in their preferred language.
Short-term goals at Sonoma State include enhancing student-adviser connections, breaking down institutional silos, and fostering collaboration among faculty, staff, and directors. In the long term, my focus is on strengthening career services and aligning them with the state’s workforce development initiatives. Improving equity gaps, retention rates, graduation rates, and enrollment are also long-term goals that we are working towards.
Career services have become a growing focus in higher education, nationally. One of the challenges in this area is staffing, as having enough career staff to meet the needs of the campus is essential. Training and development, aligning career advising with academic departments, and building strong professional networks are also crucial aspects of strengthening career services. Leveraging networks, both locally and nationally, and staying abreast of emerging trends in various fields are key to preparing students for future career pathways.
The dynamic nature of career services presents both opportunities and challenges, as we strive to prepare students for existing and emerging fields such as AI, green technology, agriculture, and health services. Helping students recognize their strengths, aligning them with professional fields, and preparing them for careers that may not even exist yet are all part of the exciting journey of career preparation.
In conclusion, my work in the California State higher education system has been deeply rewarding, and I am committed to continuing to enhance student access, success, and career readiness at Sonoma State University. Through community engagement, collaboration, and a focus on innovation, we are working towards creating a supportive and inclusive environment that empowers students to succeed in their academic and professional endeavors.
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