Sarah Downer

Student Program Coordinator

Sarah Downer

Student Program Coordinator

Sarah Downer serves as Student Program Coordinator at the Virginia Tech National Security Institute, where she leads initiatives to expand experiential learning, student engagement, and workforce development in national security. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Technologies with a focus on 3D modeling and animation, and an Executive Master of Natural Resources in Leadership for Sustainability, both from Virginia Tech. Her academic background combines systems thinking and creative problem solving, which she integrates into program design and student support.

Sarah has more than 15 years of experience at Virginia Tech, with roles spanning Continuing and Professional Education, the Apex Center for Entrepreneurs, and the Hume Center. At Apex, she coordinated student programs, events, and data systems to foster an entrepreneurial community. Prior to that, she managed large-scale events, conferences, and professional development programs across disciplines. Drawing on this experience, she now helps prepare Virginia Tech students to contribute to the national security mission through applied research, leadership development, and interdisciplinary collaboration.