Sarah Coury-Rios Alumni Spotlight

For Sarah Coury Rios, Cowley College was more than just a starting point—it was the place where she discovered her passions, built lifelong relationships, and laid the foundation for a meaningful career.

As an Arkansas City native, Sarah initially chose Cowley because it was close to home. While she was nervous about stepping outside of her comfort zone, scholarships made her dream of attending college possible, and a campus visit ultimately sealed her decision.

“I connected with Kristi Shaw and knew that I wanted to be part of the legacy she was creating,” Sarah said. “Growing up attending performances at the Brown Center also drew me to the music department. Little did I know, the two years that followed would be some of the greatest of my life.”

From the very beginning, Sarah immersed herself in campus life. As a freshman, she served as the Cowley College Cheerleading Manager, dedicating herself to every practice and performance. At the same time, she pursued her love for music as a member of the CC Singers and Chamber Choir, where she discovered just how deeply music would shape her future.

She also performed in the college’s production of Oliver!, further expanding her involvement in the arts. By her second year, Sarah had stepped into a leadership role as Vice President of the Student Body in Student Senate while living on campus and continuing her many activities.

Outside of her formal roles, she embraced every part of the college experience—organizing pickup dodgeball games at local parks, singing the national anthem at games, studying in the library, and building friendships that would last a lifetime.

“I was very involved,” she said. “Some of my favorite college memories happened during my time at Cowley, and I truly believe it’s because I chose to engage in everything I could.”

While her involvement shaped her experience, it was the people who made the greatest impact.

“The relationships I made at Cowley are some of the ones I hold most dear,” Sarah shared. “Connie Donatelli, Kristi Shaw, Scott MacLaughlin, and Stephen Butler all played such an important role in my life. They pushed me, supported me, and inspired me in ways I’ll never forget.”

Like many students, Sarah faced uncertainty when it came to choosing her path.

“My biggest challenge was figuring out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life,” she said. “I changed my major three times before finally settling on music. At 18 years old, I had no idea what I wanted to be, but with faith, persistence, and a strong support system, I found my way.”

After her time at Cowley, Sarah continued her education at Emporia State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. She later pursued her Master’s degree at the University of Kansas, ultimately becoming a Board-Certified Music Therapist.

Her career began in Dallas, Texas, where she worked at Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, serving as a music therapist from 2013 to 2017 while also starting her family. In 2018, she returned to Kansas, continuing her work in music therapy and growing both personally and professionally.

After more than a decade in the field, Sarah felt called to make a change. In 2024, she transitioned into higher education and now serves as the Senior Hawk Link Coordinator at the University of Kansas. In this role, she helps connect students with essential support services and leads Jayhawk JumpStart, a large-scale initiative designed to help first-generation and Pell-eligible students successfully transition into college life.

In addition to her professional work, Sarah remains actively involved in music as a member of the University of Kansas Faculty and Staff Choir, the Bales Choral Society, and has even led a group on an international choir trip to Austria.

In 2026, she was accepted into the doctoral program at the University of Kansas, where she will pursue an EdD in Educational Leadership and Policy with the goal of stepping into a leadership role in higher education.

Through every stage of her journey, Sarah credits the lessons she learned at Cowley—including empathy, communication, critical thinking, and perseverance—as key to her success.

Looking back, she believes Cowley College gave her more than just an education—it gave her direction.

“Cowley College may be a small campus, but the things and people it has going for it are just so big,” she said. “If you don’t get outside of your comfort zone and engage, you won’t take as much away from the experience.”

Her advice to current students reflects the mindset that shaped her journey:

“You get out of college what you put into it.”

For Sarah, Cowley College was the beginning of something much bigger—a place where she found her voice, discovered her purpose, and built a foundation that continues to guide her today.

Hunter Ferguson | Integrated Communications Specialist
Cowley College
125 S. 2nd Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
hunter.ferguson@cowley.edu