Sarah Westfall, PhD
Principal, Westfall Executive Advisors
Sarah established Westfall Executive Advisors at the conclusion of 35 years as a college administrator. Most recently, Sarah served as Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students at Kalamazoo College, a position she retired from after 15 years. Her career includes service in residential life at Ohio University, as Assistant Dean of Students at Carleton College, as Coordinator of Admission and Financial Aid at Ivy Tech Community College, as Director of the Freshman Interest Groups Program at Indiana University, and as Dean of Students at Denison University. Sarah has consulted on a wide array of issues with institutions including the University of Puget Sound, Gustavus Adolphus College, Berry College, Grinnell College, Hartwick College, Dominican University of California, Whitman College, Al-Akhawayn University (Morocco), and Blackburn College. She has written extensively, taught graduate courses at Indiana University and Iowa State University, and has been active in NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education for over 30 years.
Sarah has been deeply involved in accreditation work with the Higher Learning Commission – as a peer reviewer, team chair, Institutional Actions Committee member and chair, and trainer for new peer reviewers and team chairs. In this capacity, she has worked with over 20 institutions and their leaders.
Sarah has been named to the Fulbright Senior Specialist roster, was named a Pillar of the Profession by NASPA, received the Robert H. Shaffer Distinguished Alumni Award from the Indiana University Department of Higher Education and Student Affairs, and was named a Peer Corps Hero by the Higher Learning Commission. She received her bachelor’s degree in communication from DePauw University, her master’s and doctoral degrees from Indiana University, and completed the Management Development Program at Harvard University. Sarah is credentialed as an executive coach through the International Coaching Federation and is an affiliate member, Institute of Coaching, at McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School affiliate.
Westfall Executive Advisors have deep experience in senior and executive-level institutional leadership, career planning/transition and development, teaching and research, and academic publishing, among other areas. They offer a wide array of assessments for individuals, teams, and groups. Advisors who provide coaching services are certified through the International Coaching Federation.
Westfall Executive Advisors bring competence, curiosity, creativity, and a sense of humor to all that they do.