Sara Attig

Empowering others and helping them thrive is more than a job for Sara Attig—it’s her passion. As a Family Life Educator, Sara brings energy and heart to every workshop she facilitates across Livingston, McLean, and Woodford Counties. Her goal? To create meaningful, supportive learning experiences that strengthen families and communities.

Before joining the Family Life team, Sara spent several years in 4-H Youth Development, where she designed creative, hands-on programs that helped young people learn, grow, and have fun along the way.

Sara holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sociology from Illinois State University. Her career in higher education has included a variety of roles, including Associate Director of the Honors Program at Illinois State University. She has also shared her love of learning as an Assistant Adjunct Professor at Heartland Community College and instructor at Bradley University in Peoria.

Sara is a lifelong learner herself. Whether she’s exploring Tai Chi for new programming ideas, learning to play the ukulele, or working toward her annual reading goal, she’s always up for a new challenge. She also volunteers with Illinois St. Bernard Rescue (ISBR), helping transport and foster dogs in need—a cause close to her heart, as she adopted her beloved dogs, Briggs and Henry, through the organization.

At the core of everything Sara does is a deep belief in the power of education, connection, and compassion to make a difference.
 

Professional Certifications

• Poverty Simulation
• Real Colors
• Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention
• Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue

Professional Affiliations

• National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences
• Illinois Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences
• Joint Council of Extension Professionals

Awards

• NEAFCS, 1st Place Regional Winner, Florence Hall Award, 2024
• NEAFCS, 3rd Place National Winner, Florence Hall Award, 2024
• University of Illinois Extension, Program Support Excellence Award, 2020
• Illinois State University, University Distinguished Service Award, 2002