Sarah Todd, Director of Career Development and First-Year Advising at Eastern University, has been named a recipient of the 2026 Outstanding First-Year Student Advocates Award by The National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition and Penguin Random House Publishing. This nationwide award honors educators who have had a major influence on first-year college students' success and transition.
The Center is committed to promoting excellence in assisting students during significant educational transitions, and each year, it invites the presidents of American higher education institutions to nominate one educator who has shown remarkable dedication to the achievement of first-year students.
“The first year of college is all about new beginnings and self-discovery. It's a privilege to witness students' growth, to be inspired by their ideas, and to feel the radiant energy they bring to Eastern's campus. I love being a steady presence for first-years as they navigate the beautiful complexity of their college lives and find pathways that lead to their futures.”
In her role, Todd supports first-year college students as they navigate academic decisions, prepare for the workforce, and build the confidence to achieve their goals. In addition to overseeing the Center for Career Development, she assists with the creation of first-year experience (FYE) curricula and provides training to teaching assistants and instructors who assist new students. This summer, Todd will be transitioning to a new dedicated leadership role as Eastern’s Director of First-Year Experience and Programs, which will be fully dedicated to the first-year experience for students.
Todd is also an adjunct faculty member in the English department, teaching First Year Seminar and Young Adult Literature, in addition to providing administrative leadership and advice. Her 2023 publication, "Becoming the Mentors We Needed: Formative First-Year Practices and Motivating Factors of Peer Mentorship in College," was a result of her commitment to mentoring first-year students inside and outside the classroom.
Eastern University congratulates Sarah Todd on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates her commitment to student success. Her work reflects the university’s mission to support students academically, professionally, and personally from their very first semester. The community is proud to see her contributions recognized on a national level and grateful for the lasting impact she continues to make on Eastern students.
Check out the The National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition and Penguin Random House Publishing website for additional information on this award!