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National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition

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Recipients

The National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition is proud to honor individuals who inspire first-year student development, learning, and success and contribute to the advancement of teaching in first-year seminars or other courses.

Each year we recognize an exceptional teacher with the Excellence in Teaching First-Year Seminars Award and celebrate them at the Annual Conference on The First-Year Experience.

The recipient of the 2025-26 award is Dr. Sarah Vande Corput of the College of Menominee Nation.

Sarah Vande Corput Headshot

Sarah Vande Corput   

College of Menominee Nation

Dr. Sarah Vande Corput is an accomplished educator and leader with a strong focus on student success, curriculum development, and online learning innovation. Her dissertation, Circle of Courage: Native American Higher Education Student Success Experiences, explores Native American higher education success through the Circle of Courage framework. Dr. VandeCorput, Associate Professor at the College of Menominee Nation, has over a decade of faculty experience and has been instrumental in creating innovative academic programming.  

Dr. Sarah is an active participant in the national dialogue on Native American higher education, serving on the American Indian College Fund Faculty Advisory Council and having presented at conferences for the American Indian College Fund and the Seven Generations Inter-Tribal Leadership Summit.  

Outside of academia, Dr. Sarah operates a wellness consulting business, where she educates clients, creates natural wellness products, and engages in community-based wellness. Dr. Sarah’s multifaceted career reflects her dedication to empowering individuals and communities through education, wellness, and leadership, fostering holistic success. 

Learn about previous recipients of the Excellence in Teaching First-Year Seminars Award.


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