In October 2021, the mechanical engineering department at Brigham Young University welcomed Sarah Hamilton as the new head secretary.
Hamilton now helps keep the department functioning smoothly, but this isn’t her first time in mechanical engineering. She worked at the front desk as a student secretary for nearly 2.5 years as an undergraduate. During that time she grew to love the department culture.
“I have always loved the way this department interacts,” Hamilton said. “We do so many cool things, and I love interacting with the professors. So many of them are so kind and open minded, and it’s just really cool to be a part of that.”
A native of Elizabeth Colorado, Hamilton served a proselytizing mission to Puerto Rico from 2014-2015, graduated from BYU with a bachelor’s degree in public health, and met her husband of three years at a church activity when she was an undergraduate.
“It’s incredible the way that BYU incorporates and relies on the spirit so much in everything they do,” Hamilton said. “You genuinely go based off of the spirit and I think that’s part of what sets BYU apart. It’s been cool to be a part of it — both as a student and now as a person who gets to make decisions.”
In her previous position she worked for a non-profit and loves to serve, so she’s grateful for the opportunity to be back at BYU where she feels her former experience and fresh ideas can make an impact.
“I love coming up with new ideas for how we can interact with professors, improve the job for the student secretaries and try to make it flow easier, or even just make office life more exciting,” Hamilton said.
Though she considers herself an introvert, Hamilton loves to bake and host parties when she’s not behind the desk. She works hard to help people feel connected and loved, and the department is thankful to have her.