Sarah Lewis

Sarah Lewis is an Associate Professor at Barry University and Founding Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, where she advances trauma-informed pedagogy and ethical AI integration in education across disciplines.

Her academic credentials include a PhD and MSW from Barry University, complemented by specialized certifications as a Level 1 Certified Ropes Course Practitioner, Equine Assisted Therapy Practitioner, and in Trauma-Informed Clinical Practice.

Dr. Lewis's research focuses on systemic responses to complex social issues including HIV/AIDS advocacy, domestic violence, homelessness, addiction, and human trafficking, with emphasis on culturally grounded crisis intervention models and technology-enhanced solutions for underserved populations. She developed the internationally adopted Crisis State Assessment Scale and a nationally recognized trauma response framework implemented post-9/11 at Columbia University.

Through community co-design initiatives, she creates accessible tools for parent advocacy and professional development while championing the principle that systems must adapt to human needs rather than vice versa, all centered on fostering belonging over prestige in educational transformation.