Theatre Professor Named Outstanding Faculty Advisor

Written by Stephanie Salazar


Photo by Tom Zasadzinski

Sarah Krainin, assistant professor in the Department of Theatre and New Dance, was named this year’s Outstanding Faculty Advisor for the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences at an awards reception on April 26. 

Each year, Cal Poly Pomona recognizes one faculty member from each academic college, one staff advisor, and one advising program with an Outstanding Advisor Award for their passion, dedication, and commitment to student success. 

To learn about Kranin’s journey to CPP and what she enjoys most about mentoring students, check out her Q&A below: 

Can you share a bit of your background and journey to Cal Poly Pomona? 

I’m originally from Maine and went to undergrad at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, double majoring in Theater and Classical Civilizations. After that, I spent a few years working in theatre in New York, and then I went to grad school to earn my MFA in Scenic Design from CalArts. That’s how I ended up building a home base in the LA area.

What made you want to work at Cal Poly Pomona?

Well, the first class I taught here was sort of by accident. After spending a year as a visiting professor at Duke, I joined the lecturer pool here because I had moved back to LA and needed a job. But teaching here as a lecturer showed me a different side of what teaching could be, specifically the learning opportunities offered through the Center for Advancement of Faculty Excellence and the pedagogy of my Department Chair, Bernardo Solano. So two years later, when a full-time teaching position became available in my specialty here at CPP, I applied and got the job.

How long have you been at Cal Poly Pomona?

Six years. The thing I have enjoyed the most about being here is getting to know our students and being inspired daily by what they do, say, create, and who they are.

What do you enjoy most about advising and mentoring students?

I enjoy feeling helpful, seeing students make progress towards their goals and helping students develop goals they didn’t dream of having in the first place. I also enjoy working with and learning from the amazing and enormous community of educators, staff, and faculty—throughout the CSU—who really know what they’re doing, are doing it for the right reasons, and are advancing higher education through the lens of academic advising.

What advice do you have for the Class of 2022?

You are enough! You have what it takes. Trust yourself.

To learn more about this year’s Outstanding Advisor awardees, visit www.cpp.edu/outstandadvisor.