Sara M. Flowers

Dr. Flowers is an educational leader with 20 years of experience in teaching, school administration, and educational program management. Her career in education has been dedicated to vulnerable populations, alternative pathways, and experiential learning opportunities. Dr. Flowers served as a secondary ELA teacher for two years, an ELA teacher-leader for two years, and a public-school administrator for a total of 10 years. She has served as a higher education administrator for seven years and has a diverse teaching background in postsecondary English, communications, humanities, TESOL stateside and abroad (Turkey, Czech Republic, Finland), postsecondary high school-to-college transitions, cultural competence, leadership, and broader social sciences. Dr. Flowers’ current research involves student success in high school leaving, college entrance and persistence, and development in structured gap experiences. She is developing the theory of ephebagogy: the teaching and leading of the budding citizen and emerging adult (age 16-24). Her research interests are the American gap program tradition, the tradition of the Scandinavian folkehøgskole, and defining the methods and features of ephebagogical teaching and learning. She is interested in the topics of educative experiences for learners that are academic [utdannelse], nonacademic [dannelse], citizen building, and that clarify the distinctions between pedagogy, ephebagogy, and andragogy.

Scholarly Publications

Flowers, S.M.F. (2018), A higher education response to rampage violence. Journal of Higher Education Management, 33(2), pp 38-46 Retrieved from http://www.aaua.org/journals/pdfs/JHEM_2018_33-2.pdf.

Flowers, S.M. (2016). Folkehøjskole: A Scandinavian model can help our students succeed in college. New England Journal of Higher Education. Retrieved from http://www.nebhe.org/thejournal/folkehojskole-a-scandinavian-model-can-help-our-students-succeed-in-college/.

Flowers, S.M. (2015). Development in the gap: A case study of the emerging adult in structured gap programs (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. (Accession Number: 10170538).

Flowers, S.M. (2014). A philosophy for teaching and learning in emerging adulthood. Johns Hopkins University New Horizons for Learning Journal, 11(1). Retrieved from http://jhepp.library.jhu.edu/ojs/index.php/newhorizons/article/view/343.

Conference Presentations

Davis, J. & Flowers, S.M.F. (2022, November 4). A portrait of the University of Maine at Augusta student [Professional Development Presentation]. University of Maine at Augusta New Faculty Orientation, Augusta, ME.

Hodgkin, M., Brown, H., Carter, L., Wilson, L., & Flowers, S. (2021 November 29). Developing and implementing UMS micro-credentials for UMS students and youth [Panel]. Presented at 2021 University of Maine System Micro-Credential Initiative Summit, Orono, ME.

Oliver, B.W., Flowers, S.M.F., & Zuidema, V. (2021, November 8-10). Modeling gap year deferment policies in U.S. higher education: A qualitative content analysis [Conference Presentation]. Gap Year Association 2021 Conference, Virtual. https://www.gapyearassociation.org/annual-gap-year-conference/

Davis, J. & Flowers, S.M.F. (2021, November 5). A portrait of the University of Maine at Augusta student [Professional Development Presentation]. University of Maine at Augusta New Faculty Orientation, Augusta, ME.

Corlew, K., Flowers, S., Ludders, J., & Surrette, T. (2021, May 14). Using intentional design principles to construct accessible, inclusive, and equitable learning experiences. Presented at the University of Maine at Augusta Faculty Development Institute. 

Flowers, S.M.F. (2021, May 14). Equity literacy in your Brightspace design: Poverty equity in an LMS. Presented at the University of Maine at Augusta Faculty Development Institute.

Flowers, S.M.F. (2021, March 23). Equity literacy in your Brightspace design: Poverty equity in an LMS. Presented at the University of Maine at Augusta Faculty Development Center.

Flowers, S.M.F. (2021, February 6). The theory of ephebagogy: Its relevance to recidivism rates in Lycoming. “We Can’t Wait” Pennsylvania Statewide Coalition: Lycoming County, PA.

Mascaro, J. & Flowers, S.M.F. (2020, November 6). A portrait of the University of Maine at Augusta student [Professional Development Presentation]. University of Maine at Augusta New Faculty Orientation, Augusta, ME.

Mascaro, J. & Flowers, S.M.F. (2019, November 8). A portrait of the University of Maine at Augusta student [Professional Development Presentation]. University of Maine at Augusta New Faculty Orientation, Augusta, ME.

Flowers, S.M.F. (2019, April 19). A higher education response to rampage violence. Paper presented at University of Southern Maine Thinking Matters Symposium: Portland, ME.

Flowers, S.M.F. (2019, April 19). Folkehøjskole, gap year, and first-year experience: Leading for social movements. Paper presented at University of Southern Maine Thinking Matters Symposium: Portland, ME.

Flowers, S.M.F. (2018, November 7-9) Leading the budding citizen and emerging adult in experiential education. Presented at the 2018 Association for Experiential Education & Gap Year Association Joint International Conference: Orlando, FL.

Flowers, S.M.F. (2018, November 7-9) The Gap Year Association higher education admissions policies project. Presented at the 2018 Association for Experiential Education & Gap Year Association Joint International Conference: Orlando, FL.

Mascaro, J. & Flowers, S.M.F. (2018, November 2). A portrait of the University of Maine at Augusta student [Professional Development Presentation]. University of Maine at Augusta New Faculty Orientation, Augusta, ME.

Flowers, S.M.F. (2018, April 4-6). Ephebagogy: Leading the budding citizen and emerging adult. Presented at the New England Educational Opportunity Association 42^nd Annual Conference: Stowe, VT.

Flowers, S.M.F. (2017, June 7-9) Do parents have a role in the institution’s ephebagogical practices? Presented at American Association of University Administrators 2017 Leadership Seminar; New Orleans, LA.

Flowers, S.M.F. (2017, January 4-6). Scandinavian folkehøjskole and American gap year: What a year off does for college readiness. Presented at the Maine Educational Opportunity Association 34th Annual Conference: Orono, ME.

Flowers, S.M. (2016, March 25). Development in the gap: A case study on the emerging adult in structured gap programs. Presented at Harvard University Graduate School of Education 21^st Annual Student Research Conference, Cambridge, MA.

Flowers, S.M. (2015, March 27). Scandinavian folkehøjskole & American gap year: Cultivating the emerging adult. Presented at Harvard University Graduate School of Education 20^th Annual Student Research Conference, Cambridge, MA.