Dr. Sarah Swofford serves as the Director of Teaching and Learning for the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine. In this role, she ensures both faculty and students have the support to achieve their educational goals. She says she was drawn to the PCVM because the role exemplifies her core values and experiences.
“I’m a builder,” said Swofford. “Nothing is more exciting than getting to create a culture together that will lead to something that changes students and our community for the better. I’m passionate about rural education in South Carolina. Also, I’ve spent the last nine years teaching college students as an English professor here in South Carolina at USC Beaufort, helping faculty learn to teach more effectively as Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning and training tutors to support their fellow students. All of those experiences have prepared me to come to the PCVM in this role to support the mission of the college.”
She is thrilled to bring her passion for faculty development and student success to the future of veterinary medicine in her home state. She says the PCVM will make South Carolina a better place, and she’s thrilled to be a part of shaping teaching and learning at the college.
“There is almost nothing I love more than learning. I have no veterinary training, but I’m an expert in how people learn and what we can do to make that happen more effectively (and, often, more humanely than some of us experienced when we were students back in the day)! I can’t wait to learn an entirely new field from my new colleagues and our future students! I’m going to know so much about animals!”
Swofford is committed to each and every student who comes to the PCVM. She wants to help create opportunities for all students—including those who may not be as confident in their abilities in an educational setting.
“I want to figure out how we can create an environment where every one of our students (especially those who, like me, are from “these parts”) sees that they have a seat at our table and can claim their own education and futures. There’s a seat at this table for everyone!”
Swofford is excited to be back in the Upstate and closer to her loved ones!
“Moving home to the Upstate means I get to spend a lot more time with my family, including my nearly three-year-old niece, who calls me Aunt Sassy and is begging me to crochet her ‘Bingo and Bluey’ toys!”
