Hagen honored for data-driven planning

On April 29, 2026, Grainger Dean Devesh Ranjan hosted a celebration at which he recognized engineering faculty and staff for outstanding daily work that shapes the heart of our college.

Sara Hagen, director of academic planning and analytics in the dean’s office, received the mid-career Staff of the Year Award.

Hagen’s proactive approach, leadership and dedication have improved the operational efficiency and success of our college’s academic planning process. She provides administrative oversight for the college’s Academic Planning Council and our Academic Policies, Curriculum and Regulations Committee, and supports data needs for myriad initiatives.

Hagen has transformed the efficiency of our college’s curriculum approval process, leveraging knowledge she gains from attending campus-level meetings. For example, she informs department course proposals so that they move more efficiently through the college and campus academic planning committees with a higher success rate.

She also has supported the college through campus-initiated program reviews, simplifying departments’ work while ensuring we meet campus requirements and expectations. During our college’s recent ABET accreditation, she deepened her expertise, then laid the informational groundwork for our committee members and brought wisdom and clarity to the numerous questions we received leading up to our ABET visit.