Meet Sarah Stowens

Hello! My name is Sarah Stowens. Supporting my children’s education this year via Zoom has shone a bright light on challenges in public education and therefore offered opportunities for growth—opportunities that Rodel is uniquely positioned to impact. It’s why I’m so thrilled to be joining the Rodel team as a program officer.

My interest in working in education developed in college. I learned time and again that classrooms are just one of the many places where students learn, and there are so many tools needed to be successful both in and out of a traditional classroom. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Occidental College in Los Angeles, I lived and taught abroad in Japan and then Tanzania. Those experiences gave me more of a global perspective on education and confirmed my decision to focus on a career in education. After returning home, I received a Master of Arts degree in higher education administration from New York University. I went on to work for Duke University, East Carolina University, and finally Wilmington University in leadership development, academic advising, and instruction offering students the challenge, support, and resources needed to succeed—and redefining success along the way.

Outside of higher education, I worked as the Delaware chapter leader of Moms Demand Action, a grassroots gun violence prevention organization. Through community and relational organizing, our organization advocated for state and federal legislation, supported gun sense candidates for election, implemented public awareness campaigns and developed community partnerships. I feel strongly that peaceful communities require violence prevention work and the promotion of inclusive and just systems and policies. To that end, I have also worked with and supported community advocates focused on systemic racism, cycles of poverty, inadequate mental health resources, and inadequate access to quality education. All of my community organizing and experience in education has taught me how necessary it is to provide students with all the resources they need—in and out of school—so they can be successful.

I currently sit on the Pacem in Terris Board of Directors and the Behavioral Science Advisory Board at Wilmington University. I am also a Brownie Troop leader for a great group of future leaders. Outside of work, I love spending time with my husband, two kids, and our dog and our friends. I’m a traveler, lover of food and coffee, and entertainer at heart, so anytime I can find a new adventure or celebrate big and small joys with friends and family, I’m happy!