Board Member Spotlight: Dr. Sara L. Cochran
Meet the Board: Sara L. Cochran
For Dr. Sara L. Cochran, entrepreneurship education has always been about creating opportunities for students, educators, and the future of the field.
Sara serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship in the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University Bloomington and has been an active member of the USASBE community since attending her first conference in 2014. What began as curiosity about an organization she'd heard colleagues rave about quickly grew into a long-term commitment. Over the years, USASBE became an invaluable resource for teaching, research, and professional connections, eventually inspiring one of her biggest career goals: serving on the Board of Directors, a goal she achieved sooner than she ever expected.
Today, Sara views her role on the board as a way to give back to an organization that has given her so much. She has enjoyed helping guide USASBE through recent organizational changes and is excited about what's ahead.
"USASBE has given me so much, and it's been an honor to give back to the organization and help shape its future."
Sara's research interests include entrepreneurship education, women's entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial mindset. She is especially passionate about helping students develop the mindset needed to navigate an ever-changing world whether they launch a business or apply entrepreneurial thinking in another career.
When asked about her favorite USASBE memories, Sara reflected on the energy of the annual conference, especially the themed gala celebration that brings members together beyond the classroom and conference sessions. She loves seeing colleagues connect, celebrate, and build friendships that make the entrepreneurship education community so unique.
Outside of work, Sara has a creative side that many members may not know about, she's an accomplished quilter. After embracing quilting during the pandemic, she has won ribbons at her county fair and local quilt show, has quilts featured at the state fair and local shows, and even sells some of her creations on Etsy.
One piece of advice Sara shares with students and early-career professionals is to embrace the journey, even when the destination isn't clear.
"It's okay not to know where the entire path leads. Keep pursuing your next goal, stay open to opportunities, and you never know where they may lead."
As USASBE looks to the future, Sara's message to members is simple: stay engaged. She believes the strength of the organization comes from the people who invest their time, ideas, and passion into the community, helping it continue to grow for years to come.