Sarah Oconnell

Background

About Sarah Oconnell

Sarah O'Connell is an impassioned and agile education professional who has been able to translate instructional and support skills into a project management role in higher education. She has experience running a campus resource center for staff, faculty and adult learners. She creates dynamic learning resources, popular workshops, and learner trainings that use best practices for pedagogy and accessibility. When she is not leading trainings, managing a budget, and creating dynamic tech based activities for students, staff, and faculty, she is a committed to professional development. Since taking on her most recent role as a digital literacy specialist and instructional technologist, she has also trained as an instructional coach. Gaining the confidence to develop and facilitate instructional coaching cycles inspired by values such as collaboration and inclusion. In the summer of 2025, she collaborated with the head of library services at her university to create an artificial intelligence (AI) Hub for learners across campus. The AI hub is designed to reach many audiences and help adult learners gain basic skills as well as a deep and abiding curiosity about the opportunities associated with AI. O'Connell also designed the teaching and learning section of the guide to highlight the ways that instructors can develop knowledge and expertise as they experiment with generative AI in the classroom. She harnessed her research and evaluative skills to construct a trove of resources that will grow over time. That resource has been shared in presentations across campus leading to increased literacy and critical use of 21st century tools. In sum, she has the passion, experience, and collaborative spirit to lead small and large scale projects that bring together a variety of stakeholders. Whether she is inventing a tech space for teaching and learning or designing programming for instructors, she balances logistical responsibilities with a knack for communication and a talent for making sure that educators and learners feel supported. She has managed teams of adult learners by modeling the qualities needed to become a valued, in-demand leader. She would be an asset to any team looking for a dynamic manager.