At Bushnell University, the student experience is shaped not just by academics or activities, but by the relationships and network of care that help students thrive. In her role as Counselor and Coordinator for Student Wellness, Sarah Halstead, M.A. ’15, brings compassion and a deep relational care to the heart of campus life. Through leading one-on-one counseling sessions, student wellness programming, and informal conversations on campus, Halstead helps ensure students feel seen, heard, and supported emotionally, spiritually, and holistically.
Halstead first visited Bushnell as a high school junior in 2003. Though she left that visit loving the atmosphere, she did not think it was the right fit at the time. Nearly a decade later, when she was searching for both a graduate school and a meaningful role in student life, Bushnell re-entered the picture — and the timing was perfect. “I looked back and thought maybe that’s why I liked it so much,” she says. “It wasn’t the right time in 2003, but it was the right time in 2011.” She joined the Office of Student Life and completed the clinical mental health counseling program, launching a new chapter rooted in service and calling.
Since then, Halstead has served in several impactful roles at Bushnell, including Director of Student Programs, before stepping into her current position focused on student wellness. She also brings more than a decade of counseling experience from her work with Christians as Family Advocates, and her background in youth ministry and outdoor education continues to shape her holistic, relational approach to student development.
We recently caught up with Halstead to hear more about her work in student wellness, her passion for creating spaces of belonging, and how she supports the emotional and spiritual well-being of students at Bushnell. You can watch the full interview on Bushnell University’s YouTube channel or view it in the video below.
A Trusted Presence on Campus
As both a licensed professional counselor and a student life leader, Halstead’s role stretches across departments and student experiences.
“I get to be a part of student life in so many ways,” she says. “I think in general, just getting to be who I am and getting to be in the places I get to naturally fit is probably my favorite part of being here.”
She describes herself as “a trustworthy place” for students, someone who creates spaces where students can explore their faith, connect with each other, and grow in self-understanding. Her presence is steady, compassionate, and grounded in the belief that wellness is essential to student thriving.
Creating Spaces for Belonging
Whether she’s facilitating wellness groups, collaborating on campus-wide initiatives, or simply chatting with students outside, Halstead emphasizes the importance of connection.
“I get to hopefully be a place where someone always feels like they have a spot to sit, a spot to be, and a spot to be seen and heard. And it’s really cool that hopefully I get to make it so people don’t feel so alone and don’t feel overlooked and truly feel like they actually belong.”
Her favorite spot on campus? “The quad … even if it’s raining,” she says. Off campus, she finds peace by the nearby river. “The river is a big gift to our community,” she adds. “You can walk along it, swim in it, float it, or just sit next to it.”
Student Life That Knows Students
For Halstead, one of the most unique and meaningful aspects of working at Bushnell is the personal depth of the student life team.
“We truly know our students,” she says. “We know what they need. We know what they’re struggling with. We know what they’re achieving. And we’re not just doing things because that’s what you do — we’re doing things because that’s what we see our students wanting or needing.”
This philosophy drives her programming and personal interactions alike. Her advice to students? Say yes to connection.
“Really take advantage of every opportunity there is on campus to connect with people, because when we make a connection with people, we know ourselves better, we know the world better, and we know God better.”
Even as she encourages students to get involved, Halstead also reminds them of the importance of rest and balance. “Maybe the best way to be successful at Bushnell, and probably just in life in general, is to find a balance between being fully in and also knowing you can pause and rest,” she says. “You don’t have to do everything. There’s also space to just be and exist.”
To learn more about student life at Bushnell — including how we support holistic well-being through campus ministry, wellness resources, and a Christ-centered community — visit bushnell.edu/student-life.