Outstanding Graduate: Sarah Roberts, School of Communication

Sarah Roberts says she is a student for life and encourages others to be the same.

Holding to her word, she wants to be a professor at a university someday and has gravitated to the art of teaching for several years. Roberts says, “communication influences every human, and it inspires me. Being in this major has given me a deeper appreciation for how words give weight, depth, life, and meaning to things.”

Reflecting on her time at SDSU, Roberts says, “I’m thankful for all the professors who had a passion for what they taught. Seeing that level of commitment from professors was incredible, and it made a lasting impact in my life. That dedication shown is the same dedication I wish to perpetuate in the education of future scholars.”

In spring 2021, Roberts developed a new thankfulness for life and now tries to live intentionally when facing hardship. “My father had a heart attack due to COVID-19 that almost took his life,” she reflects, “It was one of the most terrifying experiences I’ve ever gone through, to be so close to losing someone who is absolutely invaluable to me.”

She continues, “when we received the call that he made it out of surgery and would be spending a while in the hospital and eventually would come home, I cannot describe the amount of relief that was felt, the words felt like a hug being wrapped around my mother and me. The heavy weight I felt left and was replaced with a presence of peace and gratitude. Through that experience, it changed the way I viewed life. Humans can busy themselves with fleeting things and miss out on moments that are precious. It led me to be more intentional with the time I have been given and the people I am blessed to know.”

The content within this article has been edited by Lizbeth Persons.