Sabrina Sturgeon

Sabrina Sturgeon of Evansville, Indiana, is a graduate student pursuing an M.A. in Higher Education and Human Sciences. She is hoping to work in higher education policy and governance. That is, after unicycling around the world. That’s right – unicycling is her passion.

Since coming to Virginia Tech, she has thrown herself into Student Affairs. She is an Assistant Residential Learning Coordinator, overseeing 850 students in a living learning community. She serves as a Conduct Hearing Officer, as an intern with Assessment and Professional Development, and as a member of the Higher Education Advisory Council, which advocates for the needs of higher education graduate students on campus. She also co-teaches a three-credit course in Principles of Peer Leadership.

Recalling a chat over coffee with Sabrina, her nominator said, “We talked about everything -- from the values embedded in the wider field of student affairs, to the nature of democracy, civility, and society. This stimulating conversation was wide ranging because of Sabrina’s excitement about learning and hearing diverse perspectives.”

Sabrina said, “Curiosity means approaching life from every angle that one can conceive. I welcome challenge and ambiguity with open arms. I embrace uncharted waters because that's where we can learn the most. It's an invigorating feeling to engage in intellectual discourse; to expand and bend my mind in ways that I have not previously.”

Sabrina, for your curious mind and core belief that learning is central to the work of higher education professionals, it is my honor to present to you the Aspire! Award for CURIOSITY.