La Junta, Colo. — Growing up on a farm just west of Rocky Ford, Sarah Clem never imagined her path would one day take her from the Arkansas Valley to New York City, and eventually to a Ph.D. program at the University of Maryland. But thanks to the opportunities she seized at Otero College, Sarah built a foundation of success that has propelled her through an inspiring academic and professional journey.

Clem, who graduated with her associate’s degree from Otero College while still in high school through concurrent enrollment, credits the College with giving her the confidence to pursue higher education.

“Otero College is the foundation of my college education,” Clem said. “I learned through my time at Otero that I was capable of pursuing a college education, and years later, as I continue my doctoral education, I still reflect on what I learned at Otero.”

After completing her studies at Otero and La Junta High School, Clem went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in social work from Colorado State University in Fort Collins. She later achieved a master’s degree at Columbia University in New York City, an experience she described as both intimidating and transformative. Today, she is pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, where her dissertation focuses on barriers to death rituals and how these impact grieving families and communities.

Clem’s journey was not without challenges. She admits that her first attempt at a four-year university left her feeling isolated and uncertain. Yet, she emphasizes that the lessons she learned from those struggles, about self-advocacy, maturity, and perseverance, became critical to her later success.

Her career as a social worker and researcher has been filled with meaningful experiences, from helping refugee students build friendships in their new communities to conducting groundbreaking research that she hopes will improve grief and bereavement care worldwide.

Through it all, Clem has never lost her connection to her roots in the Arkansas Valley.

“I feel extremely fortunate for the opportunities I’ve had, but I am most proud of my ongoing connections to my community here,” she said. “It is important to me to find ways to share my experiences with the Arkansas Valley and inspire others to dream big.”

To current and future Otero College students, Clem offers this advice:

• Jump at every opportunity. “You may not feel like some opportunities were created with you in mind, but you should still pursue them. The worst that can happen is you’re told ‘no.’ If you don’t try, you’re telling yourself no.”

• Apply with confidence. “Too many times I doubted myself, but I learned I was just as qualified as others. Don’t disqualify yourself before giving it a chance.”

Clem’s story reflects the heart of Otero College’s mission: to provide accessible, high-quality education that empowers students to achieve their goals, no matter how far they may reach.

“Otero College opens doors, and Sarah Clem’s journey is a powerful reminder of what’s possible,” said Dr. Zant, Otero College President. “Her success story encourages our students to embrace every opportunity, be the best version of themselves, and know that their roots here can take them anywhere.”