Sarah Hastings now leads clinical psychology graduate program

Sarah Hastings, PhD, began work July 1 at Saint Michael’s as professor of psychology and director of the Master’s Program in Clinical Psychology, taking the reins of the well-established and respected graduate program from the longtime director Ron Miller, who recently retired.

Sarah Hastings

Hastings previously was a professor at Radford University in Radford, VA, from 2006-2021, and before that at Baker University in Baldwin City, KS, from 2001-2006.

“I was drawn to Saint Michael’s social justice mission and the opportunity to work with both undergraduate and graduate students in the psychology department,” Hastings said. “I was so impressed with the faculty I met during my interview that I knew I wanted to be a part of this community.”

She said she particularly enjoys talking with students as they make decisions about their career direction, especially helping them consider their interests, values, and strengths and how these align with opportunities in the professional world. “Having worked in the fields of psychology and human services more broadly, I have a fairly good sense of the questions students should be asking and the kinds of experiences they should pursue through employment or volunteer opportunities,” Hastings said.

“I also hope to help students think of in terms of life-long learning—that as we move through our careers, we can take advantage of opportunities to explore new directions,” she said. “It is never too late to go to graduate school or to learn a new skill, for example. I hope to encourage students to practice using reflection as a tool to find meaning and direction throughout their life’s work.”

She is living in Essex Junction and has two adult children; a son, Nick, who is a student at Roanoke College in Virginia, and a daughter, Emma, who will be a first-year student this coming fall at UVM. She enjoys hiking, knitting, singing, and good conversation, and says she is looking forward to learning to cross-country ski this winter.