Alumni Spotlight - Sarah Newman

Sarah Newman is a boy mom, first and foremost. Yet, she’s also a proud A&M-Texarkana employee AND alumna.

“I’ve been at Texas A&M University-Texarkana for 10 1/2 years,” Sarah shared. “When I started here, my goal was to pursue my education.”  

Sarah began working in the Office of the President, coming from K-12 public education facilities operations. “I got the job and fell in love with higher education, but I had no idea I was becoming part of something bigger than I realized.”

At one point, Sarah tried enrolling in classes but eventually had to cancel due to a doctor’s appointment. “That’s when I found out I had breast cancer. As difficult as that was, looking back, it was incredible how everything worked out. There was no way I could have gone through cancer treatment while taking classes.”

When President Dr. Ross Alexander became Sarah’s new boss, everything fell into place at exactly the right time. “Dr. Alexander knew I didn’t have my degree and told me, ‘You’re going to get your degree. Trust me. There are some things coming that are going to help you get there.’”

Shortly after, the University began offering tuition discounts to A&M-Texarkana employees. “At that point, it became a no-brainer. I jumped in and went full force into earning my degree.”

Sarah began pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Leadership degree, continuing to work full-time, balancing responsibilities as a non-traditional student. “My biggest challenge was figuring out how to navigate college all over again. I was going to school full time and taking on additional responsibilities at work. Balancing it all was difficult, but I had an incredible advantage.”

Being an employee of the University gave Sarah an amazing support system. “Faculty and staff would stop me in the hallway to ask how everything was going or if they could help. Now, when I meet friends in the community who are going back to school, I try to ask them the same thing. I know how difficult it is to balance everything.”

Dr. Alexander offered feedback on papers, especially in community development courses. “Being an educator at heart, he completely understood how important it was and always gave thoughtful advice that helped strengthen my work.”

Dr. Lisa Myers and Dr. Jennifer Davis were influential from the beginning to the finish line— graduation day, May 8, 2026. “Whenever I needed guidance, encouragement, or just someone to help me work through a challenge, Dr. Myers was there. When she retired, Dr. Jennifer Davis was instrumental, especially toward the end. When graduation was getting close, she told me, ‘We’re going to get you there.’ She became my biggest cheerleader.”

Now, as an alumna, Sarah has a much deeper appreciation for what A&M-Texarkana students experience. “When I see students feeling overwhelmed, I understand it now because I’ve been there. I know how much work it takes, especially for nontraditional students.”

 Sarah knew from the start that earning her degree would also create new opportunities for her within the University. “I never thought about leaving A&M-Texarkana. My goal was always to continue growing here.”

Over the past year, while working in the President’s Office, Sarah was also helping the Athletics Department as the University prepared for their transition to NCAA Division II. At Inaugural Football Coach Joshua Eargle’s introductory press conference, Sarah couldn’t help catching the excitement and emotion of what was to come. “Something about Athletics began pulling at my heart. I remember calling my mom and telling her, ‘It would be so fun to work in Athletics, but I don’t see how that could happen.’ Looking back, I truly believe it was a God thing. My faith has been such an important part of this journey.”

Not long afterward, Dr. Alexander and Athletic Director Ryan Wall approached Sarah about the opportunity to join the Athletics Department as Assistant Athletic Director for Administration. Now Sarah can work in Athletics, fulfilling the interest she believes God placed in her heart. She has spent her first month in the new role getting to know the coaches, learning about the needs of each athletic program. “My job primarily focuses on the business side of Athletics, such as financial transactions, processes, and helping everything operate as efficiently as possible.”

Sarah is excited to be a part of something that’s just beginning with the transition to NCAA Division II. “Hopefully, 10 years from now, we’ll look back at this thriving Athletic Department and say, ‘I was here when it all started.’ It’s incredibly rewarding. I think about the future athletic complex and everything that’s being built. One day, we’ll be able to say we were here when they broke ground.”

Sarah also anticipates getting to know the student-athletes on a first name basis and cheering them on at future athletic events. “I’ve attended volleyball and basketball games for years, but now I’ll know the students personally. I’ll get to cheer them on, congratulate them on a win, because we will win and win. I think that’s one of the unique things about working here. It’s personal. You build relationships with students that go beyond just seeing them compete. I’m really looking forward to being part of that.”

Sarah is originally from West Texas, but for the past 13 years, Texarkana’s been home. “People ask if I’d ever move back to West Texas, and I always tell them, ‘No. This is home and A&M-Texarkana is home, too.’ I’m part of an institution that’s investing in this community and creating opportunities for people to build their lives here. We’re building programs that meet the needs of employers in our region and creating opportunities that encourage students to stay here after graduation. You don’t see that everywhere.”

Sarah’s oldest son will be joining her on campus as a freshman this fall and she plans to continue her education in A&M-Texarkana’s Master of Public Administration program. “A&M-Texarkana is attracting more local and regional students than ever before. We’re partnering with businesses and community leaders to create degree programs that meet workforce needs. And then there’s the growth. We’re one of the fastest-growing universities in Texas. We’re building new facilities, expanding academic programs, transitioning to NCAA Division II Athletics—there’s so much happening. Why wouldn’t you want to be part of that?”