Sarah Deem, a Point Pleasant native and senior academic advisor for health professions in the School of Medicine, has been selected for the January Non-Classified Staff Salute.
Dedicated to helping students reach their full potential, she provides comprehensive academic advising across a wide range of health-related fields, including Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Exercise Physiology, Health Informatics and Information Management, Immunology and Medical Microbiology, and Respiratory Therapy, among others.
“I’ve always been a Mountaineer at heart,” Deem said. “As a third-generation legacy and two-time alum, landing my job at WVU felt more like coming home than choosing a workplace.
“I am passionate about empowering students to navigate obstacles and discover their interests, guiding them as they ultimately transition into their chosen careers with confidence,” she added.
Earning her bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology with an aquatic therapy area of emphasis and her master’s degree in exercise physiology as an inaugural cohort member of the tactical performance physiology area of emphasis, the 2023 Honors Foundations graduate balanced her rigorous course work while holding several leadership roles and engaging in extracurricular activities.
As an undergraduate student, she served as a member of “The Pride of West Virginia” color guard, resident assistant for Oakland Hall and mentor for the Honors College. As a graduate student, she held the roles of community outreach graduate assistant, and health and wellness coordinator for the tactical performance area of emphasis.
Deem also finds deep fulfillment in connecting with her advisees outside the classroom by regularly attending athletic and other events. Whether she is cheering on students at an ice hockey game, volleyball match or diving meet, or attending a poster presentation, she takes pride in supporting them as they showcase their talents and hard work.
“Watching students gain confidence as athletes, researchers and professionals, and knowing they feel supported by someone in their academic corner, has been incredibly meaningful,” she said. “Being present at these events underscores a holistic approach to advising — one that prioritizes relationship building and supporting the whole student.”
Her passion for advising is evident to her students, as one student asserts, “Sarah is encouraging, yet realistic. She is a person that displays empathy in the world of academics, and that is what makes her so special.”
“My long-term goal is to become a faculty member, and stepping into my role within academic advising has been a meaningful way to stay connected to the University while continuing on that path,” Deem said.
Outside of work, she enjoys relaxing with her calico cat, Charlie, tending to her growing collection of houseplants, and playing pickleball. She also laughingly admits to the new challenge of learning how football works so she can keep up with her Fantasy team, with which she recently finished third.
Nominate a University employee for a future Non-Classified Staff Salute by sending an email to enews@mail.wvu.edu.