Sara Colburn, PhD
Dr. Sara Colburn is a Professor of Spanish at Franklin College, where she has been a dedicated educator since 2001. She began her academic journey in 1993 in Bloomington while pursuing her Ph.D., serving as an assistant instructor and building a strong foundation in teaching. After gaining valuable experience in a senior lecturer role at Butler University, she transitioned to Franklin College on the tenure track, where she has remained committed to student learning and academic excellence for over two decades. With more than 30 years of experience in language education, including graduate study in Madrid, Spain, Dr. Colburn brings both depth and global perspective to her work.
At Franklin College, Dr. Colburn teaches a full course load of three classes per semester, spanning all levels from introductory Spanish to advanced literature and cultural studies. Her days are filled with classroom instruction, student advising, mentoring seniors on research presentations, attending faculty and departmental meetings, and ongoing course planning and grading. Known for her open-door policy and welcoming office environment, she fosters strong connections with her students, many of whom seek her guidance both academically and personally. She views herself as a lifelong learner and is deeply committed to creating an engaging, supportive, and intellectually stimulating environment.
Dr. Colburn’s professional interests extend beyond language instruction to include social justice, diversity, and equity work, where she has led trainings and facilitated discussions both on campus and at other institutions. She is also exploring innovative teaching strategies, including the integration of artificial intelligence as a classroom tool. Among her most unique contributions is the development of an immersive three-week course on “happy hormones,” which blends neuroscience with mindfulness practices such as nature walks, meditation, exercise, and reflective activities to support student well-being. Looking ahead, she plans to take a sabbatical to pursue research and obtain certification in translation and interpretation, further expanding her impact within both academic and community settings.
• PhD
• Indiana University Bloomington - Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Spanish Language and Literature
• Middlebury College - Master of Arts - MA, Spanish
• B.A., Ripon College
• Support for local arts community in Franklin
• Art Craft Theater (historic cinema nonprofit)
• Local art shows supporting artists and their chosen causes
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say, don't listen to naysayers. Follow your heart. There are literally thousands of jobs somebody could do with my PhD, because we speak another language. It's undervalued as a sort of a mantra. You can see in the high schools now that they're not even pushing language, they're pushing students toward trades and getting out and working. But if you look on Indeed, you looked at LinkedIn, you looked at any of them, there are so many job opportunities if you speak another language. Being bilingual is absolutely crucial.