Name: Sara Mickelson
Hometown: Rolla, North Dakota
Program Graduation Year: 2012
Education: BA, Philosophy and English, University of Minnesota and AM, Urban Education Policy, Brown University

What was the highlight of your experience in the UEP program?

The highlight of my experience in the UEP program was being in a small, intimate environment with my fellow students and my professors. I feel like I built a community and that it was a cohesive experience across coursework and my internship – and I got to have fun with smart, great people both inside and outside of class. 
 

What skills or knowledge did you learn throughout the program that you found most useful in your career?

As a policymaker in state government, I use so many skills I learned in the UEP program! One skill that sticks out to me that seems to differ from many of my colleagues is a deep understanding of the connection of research to practice. For example, when making decisions about a particular policy - e.g., requiring specific degrees of early childhood teachers - I understand how to read and interpret the results of research and know the limits of bodies of research that exist. Another is the importance of and knowledge about methods of program evaluation. This has helped me ask myself and my colleagues critical questions like, “Do we know if this is the best intervention to get the results we need?”
 

What was one way you centered yourself or worked on your mental health while being a graduate student with many other responsibilities?

As a Brown student, I was new to the East Coast – and Providence is so well situated to see beautiful beaches and take the train to big cities. I made a lot of day trips with fellow UEP cohort members and visited friends I knew in the area. In addition, Providence itself is a beautiful place and lends itself to going on walks and eating some of the best food you’ll ever have.
 

How do you like to spend your free time?

I love to hike and camp! 
 

What are you up to now after graduating from the program?

I’ve been very lucky to have a lot of great opportunities and have had many fulfilling roles in early childhood education policy. Currently, I am the Deputy Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Early Childhood Education Department.