Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences (PHLS) assistant professor, Sarah Mire, had such admiration for the University of Houston, College of Education (UH COE) that after she graduated with her Ph.D. in School Psychology, she took a position at the college.

Mire was working in a local public school as a licensed specialist when she first learned about the college’s new School Psychology program. After learning more about the rigorous program, and the wide variety of training and research partnerships that were being made available to students, she knew she wanted to pursue her doctorate at UH COE. Even though she enjoyed working with students and their families in schools, one semester in the program made her realize she wanted to work in academia in order to train future school psychologists.

Her transition from student to professor was smooth. Mire joined the faculty team at the same time as a number of other professors, easing her changeover. Mire says, “Additionally, the college faculty and staff were incredibly supportive and collegial to me immediately – I have felt like a member of the faculty from the first day of my appointment.”

Mire’s twisting career path has armed her with advice for future students. “In ALL things, pursue excellence—even in the seemingly meaningless details of things you think no one else is noticing (they are).  Adopt a stance of appropriate humility so you remain teachable, no matter how much knowledge you are acquiring…the more you learn, the more you realize how very little you actually know!  And remember that whether youare aiming for a career that is primarily practice-focused or primarily research-focused, we are social scientists and all of our data represent human beings, and it is our responsibility to make sure that we use our knowledge and positions and opportunities to try and make things better—especially for those who are most vulnerable.”