Finding Her Path: A Journey of Growth and Opportunity at UNF

Sarah Green's path to the University of North Florida was anything but traditional.

Listen to Sarah's story in her own words.

After beginning college at Temple University in Philadelphia during the COVID-19 pandemic, Green stepped away from school when her family relocated to Florida. The break gave her time to reevaluate her goals and ultimately led her to UNF, where she found an environment that matched both her academic ambitions and career aspirations.

Now a senior marketing major with a minor in leadership, Green has distinguished herself as one of Coggin College of Business' top students. She has earned a place on the Dean's List every semester since arriving at UNF, maintains a nearly 4.0 GPA. Sarah recently completed a digital marketing internship with Guardian Litigation Group that resulted in a part-time position with the company.

"I've always held myself to a really high standard," Green said. "I want to leave school prepared for what I'm going to face in the real world."

Originally drawn to UNF's campus and smaller class sizes, Green said the university quickly exceeded her expectations. That personalized experience extended beyond the classroom. Green credits several faculty members with helping shape her journey, particularly Dr. Drew Thoeni, who encouraged her to apply for the Honors in Marketing program during her first semester at UNF.

“Sarah took off in the program taking advantage of camaraderie with like-minded students, case projects, service projects, internships, networking, mentoring and other benefits the Honors in Marketing program offers. As a result, her résumé is stronger than many who have graduated,” said Thoeni.

The program proved to be a turning point, connecting her with professional mentors, community engagement opportunities and internship experiences that helped launch her career before graduation.

Green's interest in marketing stems from its combination of creativity and strategy. While her current role focuses on digital marketing, she is equally interested in branding, advertising, and consumer behavior.

"It's the most creative of the business majors, but it's also incredibly broad," Green said. "You can be as creative or analytical as you want to be."

This year, Green is preparing for another milestone: studying abroad in Ireland through a program led by Dr. Courtney Azzari. The experience will mark her first trip overseas and provide an opportunity to expand her understanding of global business and culture.

“Sarah is the kind of student an educator is fortunate to encounter only a few times in a career—one who makes a genuine impact and leaves a lasting impression. She is exceptional at everything she takes on, but what makes her truly special is the sparkle and heart she brings to it,” said Azzari.

As she looks toward the future, Green hopes to continue building her professional experience while remaining focused on something she considers equally important: making a positive impact on others.

"I always want to leave people better off than I found them," she said. "Whether it's a customer, a coworker or someone I meet in my personal life, I want to add value and make their day a little better."

For students just beginning their college journeys, her advice is straightforward.

"Don't take anything for granted. Work as hard as you can while you're here. It's rewarding to see the results of that effort and know you gave it everything you had," Green said.

That mindset has defined Green's success at UNF and continues to guide her as she prepares for what comes next.