2025 Henry Paley Memorial Award
Sarah Flanagan
Vice President for Government Relations and Policy Development, NAICU
As you saw in the tribute video, one of the most important lessons Sarah learned from Sen. Pell is to “Care about the outcome and not the credit.”
Living and working by that standard has served Sarah tremendously throughout her career. However, today, as we honor Sarah with NAICU’s Henry Paley Memorial Award, we will be giving her the credit she has so richly earned with her steadfast resiliency, commitment to our sector and the students we serve, and her leadership of NAICU’s advocacy efforts.
Named for Henry Paley, president of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities of New York from 1975-1984, the Paley Award recognizes an individual who embodies his spirit of unfailing service toward the students and faculty of independent colleges and universities. Paley Award recipients have set an example for all who would seek to advance educational opportunity in the United States.
Sarah has spent much of her professional life advocating for independent higher education and ensuring that any student who wished to attend a college or university has the resources to do so.
Her legacy is extensive.
She’s fought to protect student aid, including fighting back against the Contract with America and creating the Student Aid Alliance, which today remains an important force and voice for protecting federal student aid.
She’s helped secure significant increases in Pell Grants, which have helped over 80 million low-income students attend college and reach their educational goals.
Sarah has done battle with Secretaries of Education on issues like teacher preparation, No Child Left Behind, and the college scorecard.
She took the fight to congressional leaders on student unit record databases, legislative overreach, and, just recently, the College Cost Reduction Act.
The relationships Sarah has established with the NAICU membership and policymakers are the foundation of the advocacy strategies she helps create and implement on behalf of private, nonprofit higher education.
Sarah has been such a strong champion for our sector and our students. Her contributions have been enormous. But don’t take my word for it. Here’s what others have said about Sarah’s contributions to higher education:
“The few and fortunate can look back at their careers and know they truly made a difference, and it’s not hyperbole to say that your work and advocacy has changed the lives of tens of thousands of students, faculty, and staff for the better.”
“You have tirelessly championed the mission of independent colleges and universities with grace, wisdom and an unwavering commitment to ensuring that our voice is heard in Washington. Your efforts have shaped policy, strengthened our sector, and opened opportunities for countless students across the country.”
“Your work has been nothing short of transformational, and your legacy will continue to inspire and guide us for generations to come.”
And finally,
“To say we will miss you does not begin to cover the reality – but to say we will be lost without you would diminish your legacy. You have given your professional career to teaching all of us how to engage, advocate, and fight for students. Please know those lessons will carry us forward and we will continue the work.”
For her 30 years of service to NAICU, its mission, and its membership, and for serving so with compassion, distinction, integrity, and the grace that could only come from a proud Rhode Islander, Sarah Flanagan is your 2025 Henry Paley Memorial Award recipient.
February 2025