#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Nothing Is More Thrilling Than Learning Something New and Sparking Curiosity in Another Person,’ Says Sara Vogel ’13MED

As a researcher and Title IX coordinator at Hawaii Community College, Sara Vogel ’13MED is focused on implementing innovative ways to lower the rates of sexual violence on college campuses. Her work led her to be named a Fulbright Scholar, specifically a 2023-2024 Fulbright Canada Research Chair, which included a summer residency at Vancouver Island University during which she delivered a TEDxTalk and worked with colleagues there to develop an asynchronous online curriculum related to her work. 

Why I Chose Education:

Nothing is more thrilling than learning something new and sparking curiosity in another person. As an educator who coaches college students, I have the most fun seeing them expand their worldviews and imagine their capabilities. It is both empowering to them and to me. I love teaching students the tools needed to manage their minds and emotions as they go through college and beyond because I know how practical and useful these skills will be in their relationships at work and home.

How Education Shaped Me:

Education has made me a more introspective and empathetic human being, a better person, partner and parent. The best thing I did throughout my educational journey was to attend courses and universities in other parts of the nation and world. It helped me expand my worldview and realize that there are 8 billion realities on this earth, which has been helpful in my work as an educator and counselor.

What It Means To Be Named a Fulbright Scholar:

It was an honor to be one of the few Hawaiian female scholars to have earned this opportunity since the Fulbright international exchange program began in 1946. Additionally, most scholars in this program work full-time as researchers, professors and instructors. Very few identify as college administrators like myself. As a college educator working on education outside of the classroom in the co-curricular field, I find it beautiful that Fulbright honored the legitimacy of education outside our college classrooms.

What I Enjoyed Most About the NC State College of Education:

I loved the cohort model of the NC State College of Education’s college counseling program, as it allowed me to make friends with whom I am still in contact today. The class sizes were small, and the instructors took the time to help us understand the best counseling approaches and techniques. 

I did not get licensed immediately upon graduation. Instead, I chose to work as a college administrator and researcher. However, now that my life has changed, as have my priorities, I am grateful that I can still pursue licensure even over a decade after graduation due to the comprehensive education I received at NC State. If given the opportunity, I would choose NC State again every time. Go Pack!