Sara Sanders, ’23, MBA ’25, has made an impact at OSU with her leadership and strength. When not throwing the javelin or serving as team captain of the Oregon State track and field team, she was also on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (as president last year!) working through complex issues, such as the House lawsuit, name, image and likeness (NIL) issues or the future of the Pac-12. Earning her undergraduate degree from Oregon State summa cum laude with a bachelors of science in kinesiology, minor in Chemistry, she pursued her MBA in corporate finance, and will merge her two academic interests on her career pathway.

College of Business: What are your plans after graduation?

Sara Sanders: I’m not quite sure where I’ll end up geographically, but I will be starting a job once I figure out logistics. I want to work in healthcare in some capacity.

COB: What’s your major and/or minor?

MBA in Corporate Finance

COB: What’s one thing you learned during your academic journey that made a big impact?

Getting out of my comfort zone has changed my life in incredible ways. I was a kinesiology major/pre-therapy and allied health option/chemistry minor in undergrad at OSU. I decided to get my MBA in corporate finance, so I could continue competing as a javelin athlete on the OSU track and field team.I have ended up loving the program and want to pursue a career in healthcare business rather than go to school to be a medical provider.

COB: Was there a moment you realized you’d grown during your time at OSU?

The 2024-25 school year is my 6th year at OSU and second year in the MBA program. Reflecting on my growth from fall of 2023 to fall of 2024 made me realize how much I’ve changed in a year – knowledge of business concepts but also my confidence, career/life aspirations, and professional development.

COB: Who or what helped you along the way?

The professors I’ve had in the MBA program have been incredible, and I am pleased with their contributions to my education. Additionally, my family and friends’ support have been essential in my success. The study skills I worked on during my undergrad as well as my perseverance were also crucial for my success.

COB: Were you involved in any experiences you’d like to highlight?

I have been highly involved in my time at OSU. In my undergrad, I was a learning assistant for biology as well as anatomy and physiology, I worked at IMPACT, and I was the vice president of the Pre-Therapy and Allied Health Club. In undergrad and during the first year of my MBA, I worked in the Translational Metabolism Research Laboratory on campus and worked as a certified nurse aid at a skilled nursing facility. In the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee I was the treasurer 2023-24, and this year I am the president and get to represent athletics at many different events. Last summer (2024) I was a commercial banking intern at Umpqua Bank and underwrote a loan renewal among other incredible opportunities.

COB: Anything else you’d like to share?

I have thoroughly loved my time at OSU and am very sad to be leaving. I have been on the OSU track and field team since fall 2019 and forever grateful for my experience here.