Author Profile
Sarah Ancel | Founder and CEO, Student-Ready Strategies
Current Position and Past Experience
Sarah Ancel is currently Founder and CEO of Student-Ready Strategies and has been in this position since 2019. She founded Student-Ready Strategies to accelerate the nation's progress toward a more equitable postsecondary system. Sarah has a unique combination of local, state, and national experience in higher education policy and practice and a proven record of successful student-focused reforms. She is a policy expert, a strategic and tactical implementer, and a keen analyst of data, environment, and opportunities. She is a leading national voice in the movement for systemic changes that remove barriers for marginalized student populations.
Before forming Student-Ready Strategies, Sarah served as Senior Vice President for the national nonprofit Complete College America. Sarah grew and coordinated support for its 46-member Alliance of States and its network of CCA Fellows. She provided policy consultation, coordinated with funders, delivered in-state technical assistance, and developed and launched a strategy for returning adults. Before joining CCA, Sarah served as Associate Commissioner for Strategic Planning and Policy for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. In that role, she was responsible for implementing the Commission’s strategic plan, including developing and advancing the Commission’s legislative priorities. She came to that role after spending nearly a decade contributing to the fiscal management and oversight of Indiana’s state and local governments.
Education, Honors and Achievements
Sarah holds a master’s degree in economics from IUPUI and a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Indiana University Bloomington. She served as an adjunct professor for her alma mater for three years and has served for four years on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the School of Liberal Arts.
Personal Details and Community Involvement
As the founder of a women-led organization, Sarah gives back by mentoring others, particularly women, who are exploring entrepreneurship inside and outside of higher education. In her free time, she enjoys travel, hiking, live comedy, and music – from cello concertos to hip hop to punk rock.
Sarah Ancel is currently Founder and CEO of Student-Ready Strategies and has been in this position since 2019. She founded Student-Ready Strategies to accelerate the nation's progress toward a more equitable postsecondary system. Sarah has a unique combination of local, state, and national experience in higher education policy and practice and a proven record of successful student-focused reforms. She is a policy expert, a strategic and tactical implementer, and a keen analyst of data, environment, and opportunities. She is a leading national voice in the movement for systemic changes that remove barriers for marginalized student populations.
Before forming Student-Ready Strategies, Sarah served as Senior Vice President for the national nonprofit Complete College America. Sarah grew and coordinated support for its 46-member Alliance of States and its network of CCA Fellows. She provided policy consultation, coordinated with funders, delivered in-state technical assistance, and developed and launched a strategy for returning adults. Before joining CCA, Sarah served as Associate Commissioner for Strategic Planning and Policy for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. In that role, she was responsible for implementing the Commission’s strategic plan, including developing and advancing the Commission’s legislative priorities. She came to that role after spending nearly a decade contributing to the fiscal management and oversight of Indiana’s state and local governments.
Education, Honors and Achievements
Sarah holds a master’s degree in economics from IUPUI and a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Indiana University Bloomington. She served as an adjunct professor for her alma mater for three years and has served for four years on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the School of Liberal Arts.
Personal Details and Community Involvement
As the founder of a women-led organization, Sarah gives back by mentoring others, particularly women, who are exploring entrepreneurship inside and outside of higher education. In her free time, she enjoys travel, hiking, live comedy, and music – from cello concertos to hip hop to punk rock.
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