Dr. Sarah K. Cunningham has served as the Vice President for Student Development at Saint Louis University since February of 2021. She proudly works with a remarkable team over thirteen units to support student success across the University. Prior to arriving in Saint Louis, Sarah most recently served as the Assistant vice Provost for Student Life Strategy and Policy at Johns Hopkins University. In this role, she was responsible for managing and leading university wide initiatives that support students’ success across the university, specifically student health and well-being, crisis response and student retention.
Sarah has contributed to the field of student affairs for almost 20 years. Before arriving at Johns Hopkins, she worked at the University of the Chicago as the Executive Director for Student Leadership, Involvement and Student Life Centers and Assistant Dean of Students in the University. Prior to UChicago, she served also worked at the University of Florida, George Mason University and at Slippery Rock University.
Sarah holds a bachelor of arts in combined social studies from Youngstown State University, a master of science in college student personnel services from Western Illinois University, and doctorate of education in higher education and organizational change from Benedictine University. Her dissertation research looked at the lived experiences of student leaders at public universities who held a vote on their institutions board of trustees. Sarah enjoys taking in college sporting events, taking hikes with her rescue dog Bailey and enjoys to travel and the theater.