Sarah Holtzclaw ’88

When Sarah was looking at small liberal arts schools for after high school, she toured a lot of great schools. It wasn’t until she stepped on Lewis & Clark’s campus in a rain storm that she knew exactly where she’d spend the next four years. Having grown up in Colorado, the green vines growing up trees, the small class sizes and the history of the campus spoke to her. And home she was, graduating in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications.

While on campus, Sarah was a member of the track and field team. She was primarily a hurdler and jumper, sharing the school record at the time in the 100 meters hurdles. Knowing how influential a good college tour can be, she worked for the admissions office as a campus tour guide all four years. Sarah was also an RA in Forest Hall her sophomore year before moving off campus. An overseas trip to Greece in 1986-1987 opened her eyes to the world and the U.S.’s global influence. It also seeded a life-long passion for travel.

Sarah credits her liberal art education for allowing her to pivot careers regularly. Lewis & Clark College taught her how to think, critique, write, investigate, and converse. She’s lived in five states and two countries since graduation. Currently in New Mexico, she started a grant management consulting business, specializing in workforce development and project managing over $15 million in state and federal grants.

She and her husband Mike (’87 and former Alumni Board member) have three grown children who are also spread across the globe. In her spare time, Sarah still enjoys traveling, reading, and catching up on the latest crime drama series.