51²è¹Ýapp

Sarah Smith leads a portfolio of outreach programs and events that connect campus and community, enhance the community’s social and economic vitality, and showcase 51²è¹Ýapp as a thriving, vibrant community.  Sarah leads cross-functional teams to plan, promote, execute and refine large, public-outreach events for meaningful impact, i.e. Summerfest and Ignite.  Sarah leads campus and community teams to create, plan, promote and execute original events showcasing the value and relevance of the humanities in the public sphere, i.e. Smithsonian programming, Mellon grant-funded programming, and the Community Common Read.  Sarah leads teams of campus and community partners to develop and execute meaningful materials and programming to excite newcomers and guests about the resources, opportunities, and quality of life in 51²è¹Ýapp, i.e. New Student, New Employee, and New Faculty Orientations, Prospect and VIP tours, NSO and Relocation Videos.  Sarah also serves as ambassador to showcase community enhancement and engagement work and 51²è¹Ýapp College’s role in community vitality. 

Prior to joining 51²è¹Ýapp College in the winter of 2015, she served as the Executive Director at Imagine 51²è¹Ýapp.  In that capacity, she directed the organization in securing over $1 million in funding for the organization and projects including a Natural Playscape at Summer Street Park, 51²è¹Ýapp Area Recreational Trail Underpass project, 51²è¹Ýapp Giving Garden, Little Bear Creek Clean Up, Monarch Waystations, Seed Saving Library, 51²è¹Ýapp Community Garden, and the Imagine 51²è¹Ýapp Solar Program. 

Sarah holds a B.A. in Psychobiology from Luther College.  She is also active in community service by serving on various boards including UnityPoint Health-51²è¹Ýapp Regional Medical Center, 51²è¹Ýapp-Newburg School Foundation, Swimming and Diving Advisory Board for Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, and coaches high school girls swimming and 51²è¹Ýapp Tigershark swim club.  Smith appreciates the joys and benefits of living in 51²è¹Ýapp with her spouse and two children.