Sarah Cunningham

Building a vibrant and supportive university community requires intentionality, collaboration, and a deep commitment to student success. These principles are central to the work of Sarah Cunningham, Vice President of Student Affairs at Tulane University.

In today’s conversation, Sarah sat down with Jack Eagle, Co-Host of The Interview, to discuss her career journey, the importance of belonging in Higher Education (HE), and how institutions can support students in an ever-changing world.

Sarah’s Journey

Jack: Can we start with a quick introduction to yourself and your institution?

I’m Sarah Cunningham, and I’m the Vice President of Student Affairs at Tulane University. I’ve been in this role for six months now, and it’s been an incredible experience so far. Throughout my career, I’ve worked at a variety of institutions, from large land-grant universities to highly selective private and Jesuit institutions.

What makes Tulane unique is its strong sense of community and its deep connection to the city of New Orleans. Our students – both undergraduate and graduate – are intellectually curious and committed to making an impact. Some universities talk about their relationship with their city as being a good neighbor; at Tulane, we embrace New Orleans as an integral part of our identity. The culture, the vibrancy, and the sense of purpose that defines this city permeates our campus and creates a truly distinctive student experience.

Jack: Many Student Affairs professionals have unique stories about how they got into the field. How did your journey begin?

I’d say education has always been in my DNA. Three of my four parents were public school teachers or administrators, so the value of education was ingrained in me early on. In my own university experience, I was deeply involved in student life but didn’t realize that Student Affairs was a viable career path. Fortunately, I had mentors – my student government advisor, fraternity and sorority advisor, and our Vice President of Student Affairs – who encouraged me to pursue this work professionally.

I actually switched my major in my senior year, which isn’t the usual advice we give students, but it worked out well! After completing my master’s degree, I stayed curious and took opportunities at different types of institutions to broaden my experience. Eventually, I earned my doctorate and continued my journey in HE leadership. For me, the best career advice I ever received was simple: find something you love and be really good at it.

Jack: Student Affairs leaders play a key role in shaping the student experience outside the classroom. What are some of the priority areas you’re focusing on at Tulane?

One of my biggest priorities is student wellness. Over the last decade, my work has been centered on ensuring that students have what they need not just to survive the university, but to truly thrive. When we welcome students to campus, we’re not just inviting them to enroll – we’re committing to supporting them through to graduation and beyond. Success isn’t just about academic achievement; it’s about fostering confidence, agency, and wellbeing.

For students to succeed, they need a sense of belonging. I firmly believe that every student needs a person – someone who knows them, checks in on them, and makes them feel seen. That could be a faculty member, a peer mentor, a dining hall worker, or a research librarian. My approach is to meet students where they are. I’ll buy coffee for students, stop by the Rec Center, or join them in their spaces. There’s no one-size-fits-all university experience, so we have to be intentional in making sure students feel like they matter.

Jack: Civil discourse has been a big topic on campuses recently. How can universities encourage students to engage in meaningful conversations across differences?

This isn’t a new challenge – universities have long been spaces for difficult conversations. The key is to create opportunities where students can engage with different perspectives in a constructive way. At Tulane, we’ve hosted a variety of speaker series and discussion forums where faculty, students, and community leaders come together to explore complex issues.

Students are coming to these conversations from different backgrounds, and they engage in different ways. Some are drawn to historical context, others to policy debates, and others to lived experiences. Our role is to create multiple entry points into these discussions. At the heart of it all is respect – helping students understand that, despite differences, they share common values and a commitment to being a part of the Tulane community.

Jack: Student wellbeing is a major focus across HE. What initiatives do you have at Tulane to support mental health and wellness?

Wellness is a broad concept – it’s not just about mental health, but also physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. One of our recent initiatives is a 24/7 mental health support service that launched just two weeks ago. Within the first six hours, 25 students had signed up, which shows how important it is to remove barriers to support.

Beyond that, we’ve expanded our Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) training for suicide prevention and implemented new strategies to integrate wellness into student life. Our approach is multi-pronged – resident assistants, peer health ambassadors, faculty, and student leaders all play a role in fostering a culture of care. We also work closely with parents and families, particularly those of first-generation students, to ensure they understand the resources available to their students.

Jack: With students being busier than ever, how do you ensure that key messages about support services and resources cut through?

It’s a combination of listening to students, using data to track engagement, and being flexible. We gather insights from student leaders, advisory groups, and wellness committees to understand their needs. We also leverage technology to streamline communication and ensure students can access resources in ways that suit them.

At the end of the day, relationships matter. If students feel connected – whether through their professors, student organizations, or campus life – they’re more likely to engage with the support available to them. Our goal is to create an environment where students don’t just succeed academically, but also feel supported in every aspect of their university journey.

Jack: To wrap up, what’s the best piece of career advice you’ve received?

I have two. First, always consider how you add value to a conversation. It’s important to be mindful of how you contribute, ensuring that you create an inclusive and constructive environment. Second, mentorship is critical, but your mentor or sponsor should never be in your direct reporting line. Having an external mentor allows for more open, unbiased guidance and career support.

Finally, don’t lose sight of why we do this work. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day challenges, but I make a point to step back and see students thriving – whether it’s watching a faculty member give a passionate lecture, cheering on a student organization dance performance, or seeing students enjoy a snowball fight on campus. Those moments remind me why this work is so rewarding.