51³Ô¹Ï

As Director of Community and Government Relations, Sarah Smith leads 51³Ô¹Ï’s efforts to build and sustain meaningful connections between the College and the broader community. Her work advances the College’s mission of civic trust and regional vitality through public programming, government relations, and collaborative engagement.

She develops and implements outreach strategies in partnership with local, regional, and state collaborators—aligning College resources with community priorities to strengthen quality of life and economic opportunity. She also cultivates strong relationships with elected officials and policymakers to support initiatives that serve both institutional and regional goals.

Sarah’s portfolio includes leadership of public-facing initiatives, including events in the Katherine Howell Weingart ’61 Civic Innovation Pavilion at Renfrow Hall. She organizes and promotes original programming—such as Smithsonian exhibitions and lifelong learning opportunities like Bucket Courses—to foster campus-community connections.

She represents the College through speaking engagements, media outreach, and civic partnerships, and contributes to orientation materials and VIP tours that showcase the vibrancy and welcoming spirit of 51³Ô¹Ï.

Prior to joining 51³Ô¹Ï in 2015, Sarah served as Executive Director of Imagine 51³Ô¹Ï, where she led the organization in securing over $1 million in funding for community-driven projects such as the Natural Playscape at Summer Street Park, the 51³Ô¹Ï Area Recreational Trail underpass, 51³Ô¹Ï Giving Garden, Little Bear Creek Clean Up, Monarch Waystations, Seed Saving Library, 51³Ô¹Ï Community Garden, and the Imagine 51³Ô¹Ï Solar Program.

Sarah holds a B.A. in Psychobiology from Luther College. She is active in community service through board service with UnityPoint Health–51³Ô¹Ï Regional Medical Center, Luther College Parents and Family Council, and she coaches high school swimming. Sarah enjoys the joys and benefits of living in 51³Ô¹Ï with her spouse and two children.