Get to Know HFC: dual enrollment led Sarah Krizan to a community college career

Headshot of Sarah Krizan, who has blonde hair and glasses, wearing an olive green sweater and black shirt.

Attending a community college had such an impact on HFC Program Advisor for Transfer Initiatives Sarah Krizan that she decided to make the same impact on others.

Krizan graduated from Washtenaw Technical Middle College, a Michigan Public School Academy on the campus of Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor. WTMC allows students to obtain an associate degree or technical certificate while earning their high school diploma.

“It’s similar to the Henry Ford Early College,” said Krizan. “It’s one of the first iterations in Michigan where you have a college as your high school. It totally changed the path of my life. It really sparked my love and understanding of a community college’s purpose and its open-access education. I knew I wanted to help students along their educational journey.”

A job to love and a volunteer cause

Born in Ypsilanti, Krizan is the eldest of two daughters. She lives in Allen Park with her husband Jim, their two children, and their two dogs.

Krizan earned her associate degree in scientific and technical communications from WCC, where she was a tutor in the Writing Center. Transferring to Eastern Michigan University, Krizan earned her bachelor’s degree in linguistics with a minor in psychology. Krizan has completed coursework in the master’s program in educational psychology at EMU. She also earned a micro-credential in advising transfer students from NACADA, the global community for academic advising.

Outside of her duties at HFC, Krizan is a devout animal lover and has volunteered at the Friends of Detroit Animal Care & Control for three years, the last two as the Community Relations Director. The organization works to care for and house homeless pets.

“I supported myself through college by working as a veterinary assistant and eventually as the manager of a veterinary practice,” she said. “I'm fortunate to have a job I love as well as a volunteer cause I'm passionate about. I love when my students show me photos of their pets!”

Krizan has been in higher education for 15 years. She has worked two jobs at EMU and one at Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac.

“I loved my first job at EMU. I was working in the language program with second-language learners as an admissions representative and advisor,” she recalled.

Her second position at EMU was as an academic advisor in its College of Arts & Sciences. From there, she became an academic advisor in the College of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts at the University of Michigan (U-M) in Ann Arbor. Krizan was in this position for just under two years before she joined HFC in 2023 and hasn’t looked back.

Immense benefits of a community college

“Working at a community college is truly the reason why I chose higher ed as my career path. I’m really passionate about accessible education for all. As a student who got her start in college because I attended a community college, I realize the immense benefits of starting at a community college where you can really grow your educational efficacy, no matter where you start as a student," explained Krizan. “You might graduate from high school with a low GPA, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not capable of succeeding in college. A community college is there for aspiring students, for adult learners, and for students like me. I was admitted to U-M, but I couldn’t afford it. Had it not been for a community college, I don’t know if I would’ve ended up where I am now. Community colleges are really important for students, community, and society as a whole.”

Krizan reports to HFC Director of Advising Jennifer C. Markin. Her duties include:

  • Serving as program advisor for Learn4ward.
  • Serving as program advisor for Transfer Bridges to the Humanities @ the University of Michigan (TB2H).
  • Advising students in the HFC School of Liberal Arts (SOLA) with 50 credits and above who are ready to graduate or enter the workforce.
  • Coordinating transfer events across campus.
  • Working closely with university transfer partners and HFC’s transfer stakeholders.

Transfer Recruiting Coordinator for U-M LSA and HFC alumnus Justin Villanueva has worked with Krizan through the TB2H program for several years.

“I cannot fully express the pleasure and honor it is to work with Sarah,” he said. “The combination of her expertise as an HFC advisor and TB2H coordinator and her passion for helping and supporting community college students is amazing. Sarah's example of professionalism, empathy, and humanity creates an environment in which students want to give their best effort, and also people like me. HFC is blessed to have Sarah among its ranks.”

Positive student outcomes

Krizan remembered how impressed she was with the College’s commitment to its students. During her interview process, she met with Markin and HFC Vice President of Strategy and Human Resources Dr. Lori Gonko, both of whom spoke at length about HFC’s mission and strategic plan.

“I was so impressed by the College’s emphasis on student success and ensuring that everything we do serves positive student outcomes, and where advising fits into that plan. I knew we would be making a huge impact on students because of the institutional commitment to those pillars,” she said.

“Sarah’s dedication to transfer students and her deep understanding of the community college mission make her an invaluable part of our team,” said Markin. “She helps students navigate their transfer journey and also inspires confidence in their ability to succeed. Her passion for student success is evident in everything she does. We are incredibly fortunate to have her at HFC.”

For Krizan, the students are the best part of her job, hands down.

“I enjoy working with students who may not have thought that earning their associate degree and transferring to a big university was going to be part of their journey,” said Krizan. “Helping them cross that threshold and watching them transfer – that’s the bread and butter for me! It’s keeps me waking up every day and coming here. I just love this job! and I love the staff I get to work with here every day.”