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Rio Salado College recently welcomed Dr. Sarah Vandermark as its new Vice President of Student Affairs, bringing more than 25 years of leadership experience to the Tempe-based institution.
Vandermark has built her career on one central mission: helping students succeed. From strengthening academic advisement and first-year experience programs to driving institutional effectiveness, she has led transformative initiatives at Utah Tech University, New Jersey City University, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
“Student success is at the heart of everything I do,” Vandermark said. “Rio Salado’s commitment to access and innovation is what drew me here. This is a place where we can truly make a difference for all learners.”
Vandermark discovered her interest in developing a professional career in higher education while attending Wilkes University. The dean of students, Dean Lampe-Groh, taught her about all the areas within student affairs.
“She inspired me. I didn’t know you could do this for a living,” she said, reflecting on her time there. “I loved the support and encouragement my faculty and the administrators gave to me during both my undergraduate and graduate degrees.”
During her Ph.D. program, Vandermark found a passion for change management and designed a course that helped students connect their learning to future careers.
“I already knew I wanted to change how things were done. I wanted to help students succeed both within the classroom and beyond,” she said.
Vandermark’s work extends beyond campus walls. As co-founder and co-CEO of Mentorforlife, Vandermark has created pathways for first-generation and underrepresented students through mentorship and scholarships, advancing opportunities for communities that need them most.
“We are honored to welcome Dr. Vandermark to Rio Salado College,” said Rio Salado College President Kate Smith. “Her proven dedication to student success and her innovative approach to education access align with our mission. I am confident she will play a pivotal role in shaping meaningful opportunities for our students and community.”
Vandermark holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Montclair State University, a master’s degree from Northeastern University, and a bachelor’s degree from Wilkes University. Her academic background, paired with her professional leadership, reflects her deep understanding of how to design student-centered systems that work.
Outside the office, Vandermark finds balance hiking Arizona trails with her dog, Zion (named after the national park), and channeling her creativity through home restoration and furniture refurbishing.
As Rio Salado College continues to expand innovative approaches to higher education, Vandermark’s leadership will play a key role in shaping the student experience— helping learners achieve their goals and thrive in a changing world.