Sarah Ellison stepped into her new role as the associate vice president for student affairs at Sonoma State University, part of the California State University system.
In this capacity, she leads a dedicated team focused on initiatives that enhance student access and success.
Recently, she had an insightful conversation with Inside Higher Ed, exploring her career journey, her responsibilities at Sonoma State, and her vision for the department’s future.
A Journey into Higher Education
Sarah’s entry into the world of higher education was somewhat serendipitous.
After high school, she began her college career at the University of Hawaii, intending to study business.
However, a tough first year led her to shift gears, first attending a community college to earn her associate’s degree, before eventually completing her bachelor’s in business administration at the University of La Verne.
Though she initially aimed for a career in sales, her college experiences, coupled with personal growth, redirected her ambitions.
While pursuing her undergraduate studies, Sarah worked as a career adviser at Goodwill in California, assisting veterans making the transition to civilian life.
This role ignited her passion for career services, prompting her to pursue a master’s degree in the field.
As she explored avenues within career services, she stumbled upon academic advising—a path she became genuinely enthusiastic about after meeting a recruiter at a military jobs fair.
This newfound passion led her through various institutions, ultimately bringing her back to the California State University system.
Bridging Career Services with Student Advising
Ellison’s tenure in career services significantly shapes her current approach to student advising.
Drawing from her experiences with veterans and nontraditional students, she aims to help all students bridge their academic and career aspirations.
This holistic approach enriches her oversight of academic advising and career services, as well as several programs designed to promote equity and access for all students on campus.
At Sonoma State University, Sarah engages with a dynamic and diverse student population, which includes a large number of Hispanic and first-generation students.
The university prioritizes serving these communities by fostering connections with local high schools, effectively supporting students as they envision their futures at four-year institutions.
Preparing students for their careers is a top priority for Ellison.
She emphasizes assisting students in understanding the significance of their degrees in the job market.
By collaborating with K-12 programs, Sonoma State aims to create pathways for underrepresented students, ensuring they receive the guidance crucial for their transition to college and beyond.
Community-Centric Approach
Ellison views her mission as extending beyond the university’s walls.
By aligning her student success strategies with community needs, she has learned valuable lessons from her previous positions at Cal State San Bernardino and the University of Kentucky.
She aims to strengthen Sonoma State’s ties with local employers and organizations, ensuring that students are not only educated but also prepared to make meaningful contributions to their communities.
For Sarah, access to higher education stands at the core of her role.
She underscores the necessity of technological accessibility for students, who often require multifaceted support, including language resources.
One successful initiative she recalls involved bilingual faculty members participating in group advising sessions, which provided vital assistance to Spanish-speaking students seeking personalized help.
Ellison understands how crucial consistent communication is for students throughout their experiences—beginning with enrollment and continuing into campus integration.
This comprehensive approach is essential for supporting students in navigating the complexities of university life.
As she reflects on her inaugural year, Sarah has set several immediate goals, notably ensuring every student has access to an academic advisor.
She believes that enhancing communication and collaboration between faculty and staff is vital to fostering a supportive environment.
Looking ahead, Ellison plans to intensify the focus on career services, particularly in response to new state initiatives aimed at workforce development.
She hopes to work alongside university leadership to bolster career programming as part of a broader strategy to address retention, graduation rates, and equity across the board.
Ellison is acutely aware of the challenges facing career services, especially the need for adequate staffing to meet student needs.
She emphasizes the importance of training for faculty members and knowledge sharing to align career advising with academic trajectories.
Moreover, she acknowledges the need to establish professional networks that enhance career service offerings.
With new job markets arising—particularly in artificial intelligence, green technology, and healthcare—Ellison is determined to empower students by helping them identify and develop the skills necessary to succeed in these evolving fields.
In summary, Sarah Ellison’s rich background and unwavering commitment to student success position her to make a significant impact on access and achievement at Sonoma State University.
“`html
Source: Insidehighered
“`