Meet Dr. Sarah W.

From the Dean's Office to the Departure Lounge

For nearly twenty years, my “office hours” were spent navigating the complex landscapes of higher education. From my foundational years in residence life to serving as a Dean of Students and Senior Student Affairs Officer, my career has been defined by a deep commitment to the human experience. I have moved through the heart of student affairs—guiding institutional governance, managing multi-million dollar budgets, and leading crisis response with a trauma-informed, equity-driven lens.

In higher education, we prioritize student success and learning outcomes. Yet, as I looked at the exhausted faces of my colleagues and the frantic pace of the dual-career families in my circle, I realized we were often failing one specific elective: The Art of the Reset. I’ve spent my career researching meaning-making, the power of nostalgia, and the science of well-being. What I’ve discovered is that the moments that truly sustain us aren’t found in a spreadsheet or a committee meeting. They are found in the shared laughter of a firework show, the quiet sunrise on a cruise balcony, and the specific magic of a core memory being made in real-time.

The Higher Education Leader & Faculty Lens

My work remains rooted in the intersection of theory and real-world application. Most recently, in line with shifts in the higher education landscape, I transitioned to a faculty role following an unexpected layoff. This transition has allowed me to translate years of advocacy and senior leadership—including my time as a Dean of Students and Title IX Co-Coordinator—directly into the classroom. It has been a purposeful step toward mentoring the next generation of scholar-practitioners, ensuring that the human element remains at the center of everything we do in the often volatile higher education environment.

Currently, I serve as an adjunct faculty member in the Educational Leadership and Higher Education Administration department at West Chester University. My instructional portfolio is diverse; I have taught a variety of first-year and leadership seminars in undergraduate settings ranging from small private colleges to large public universities. At the graduate and doctoral levels, I utilize active pedagogy to prepare early and mid-career professionals for the leadership needs of higher education today.

My research portfolio extends my commitment to the holistic development of students and colleagues. My work explores:

Student and Professional Well-Being
Meaning-Making and Faith
The Role of Nostalgia
Active Pedagogy
Scholar-Practitioners in Student Affairs

I don’t leave these findings in journals. I bring this lens of connection and belonging into both my education experience and my travel practice, ensuring that whether I am drafting a syllabus or a training, the focus remains on the measurable outcomes of human flourishing.

Travel Planning: Restoration & the Art of the Escape

Eventually, I realized that supporting others in their quest for connection was more than a hobby—it is my calling. My own love for exploration was sparked early, from a transformative study abroad experience in Costa Rica to a lifelong obsession with researching and discovering new landscapes. Interestingly, while my very first job was at Kennywood amusement park , it was during my doctoral studies that my appreciation for theme parks truly deepened. In the demanding stretches between semesters, those parks escapes to Walt Disney World became the vital setting where I could finally disconnect from the data and reconnect with my family.

Today, I operate at the intersection of practice and inquiry. As an Independent Travel Advisor affiliated with Academy Travel , I apply the same academic rigor to a family itinerary that I bring to my master’s capstone curriculum. I chose my home base with intentionality. Academy Travel is a women- and family-owned business located in New Jersey and one of the original “EarMarked” partners for Disney. As one of the few Diamond-level agencies in the world, they provide me with a pedigree of excellence and unmatched resources to advocate for your time and investment. Below are the vacation destinations that I specialize in through Academy Travel as well as my travel related sites and publications.

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