The staff spotlight series celebrates and elevates all the people who make the UI College of Education such a special place to work. This spotlight recognizes the critical contributions our staff members make to the College of Education community in support of our faculty and students.
Sarah Lobb works as a Faculty Affairs Manager in the College of Education Administration Dean's Office, a position she has held for two years. Prior to this, she worked in several different University of Iowa colleges and departments. She is an alumna of the UI College of Education with a Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the Department of Educational Policy and Leadership Studies in 2014.
What does your job entail in the College of Education?
I support and/or coordinate the faculty career life cycle for all faculty in the College of Education, from recruitment to retirement and all that happens in between.
What is your favorite part about working at the College of Education?
I have a moment of gratitude for the people I work with virtually every workday. This is not a planned moment! I am just so happy to be in this community and I usually have a random moment when I think of how much I like my co-workers.
What is your favorite memory as a Hawkeye?
I was a student in the HESA program during 2012-2014. During my first semester, I had one class on Friday mid-afternoon; it was Sherry Watt's class. I have many memories of having really formative class discussions with her and my cohort, leaving with a more open mind, and then walking through campus while the leaves were changing. Autumn is my favorite season and Hawkeye football spirit is in the air. My husband worked "across the river" and I would walk over to the other side of campus to visit him after class, looking down at the river. My sweet memories of learning here in the college are wrapped up with my love for the Hawkeyes, the quintessential Iowa river, and autumn!
What are your hobbies, interests, or special talents? What would colleagues be surprised to know about you?
Many people know by now that I am an actor, and specifically that I do (usually comedy) improv at a local improv theatre, Willow Creek Theatre on S. Gilbert. Ask me about shows sometime! We have a little College of Education following of community members who have come to shows more than once, and I have a "duo long form" (improvised play) that I perform regularly with Sam Tanner, an associate professor of English in the Department of Teaching and Learning, who is also a seasoned improviser. I'm also Louisiana Cajun and my maiden name is not pronounced as it looks: Devillier, pronounced duh-VILL-yay. Yay!
Where is your favorite place to eat in downtown Iowa City?
Dandy Lion
What is something on campus that you look forward to participating in or doing?
Human Resources Community activities - these are planned regularly by HR staff across the university
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? (No limitations)
Costa Rica.
Visit the Celebrating College of Education staff page to nominate a colleague. Self nominations are also welcome.
