Auburn College of Education adds health and wellness coordinator to EAGLES Program

Sarah Goodwin has always had a passion for health, wellness and helping others, and her new position as a health and wellness coordinator in The EAGLES Program of Auburn University’s College of Education will allow her to do the work she loves every day.

“My background blends a lifelong love of movement, a strong academic foundation, and a deep personal connection to the Auburn community, and I’m excited to give back to the place that means so much to me and my family,” Goodwin said.

A two-time graduate of Auburn’s College of Education, Goodwin earned her undergraduate degree in exercise science in 2009 and then a master’s degree in education with a concentration in biomechanics in 2014. She spent the past eight years working as the group fitness coordinator at Auburn’s Recreation and Wellness Center, where she oversaw group programming, trained instructors and helped students find their passion for fitness.

She also supported the EAGLES (Education to Accomplish Growth in Life Experiences for Success) Program in her role, overseeing their small group fitness sessions at the Recreation and Wellness Center. Goodwin said she witnessed first-hand the growth, resilience and spirit of the EAGLES students, which inspired her at both a personal and professional level. Now, she will work closely with EAGLES students to help them find their own “fit” in fitness.

“I have chosen to work with The EAGLES Program because I’m passionate about its mission and the transformative impact it has on students and the broader Auburn community,” Goodwin said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a program that empowers students in such meaningful ways, and I feel grateful to work alongside exceptional staff who are deeply committed, collaborative and truly student-centered.”

Betty Patten, the Jay and Susie Gogue Endowed Director of The EAGLES Program, looks forward to the skillset and commitment Goodwin brings to the team.

“I am incredibly excited to welcome Sarah to our EAGLES team and the College of Education,” Patten said. “Having a dedicated staff member in the health and wellness domain truly emphasizes our commitment to providing a comprehensive program that focuses on the whole person. Sarah is absolutely perfect for this role, given her impressive background and the unwavering support she has shown to the EAGLES for the past six years. Her passion and experience will undoubtedly make a significant impact on creating better lives for our EAGLES and WINGS peer mentors.”

Though Goodwin is a new staff member in the College of Education, she has been a member of the Auburn Family for many years. Auburn holds a special place in her heart for shaping her professional path, but also because it’s where she met her husband. They now have two children, a boy and a girl, who are already proud Tiger fans. One of her favorite Auburn memories was being in Jordan-Hare Stadium for the legendary Kick Six Iron Bowl against Alabama in 2013.

“The energy was unmatched, and I’ll never forget the moment the game ended,” Goodwin said. “I was one of the many who ran onto the field to celebrate.”

In addition to her love for Auburn, Goodwin enjoys baking, cookie decorating and crafts. She even enjoys teaching group fitness in her spare time, a testament to her passion for what she does.

“I already love the strong sense of purpose and community in the College of Education,” Goodwin said. “I feel honored to be part of a team that leads with both heart and impact.”