Sarah Krikorian’s journey to the School of Labor and Employment Relations (LER) was unexpected, but welcome. As an undergraduate at the University of Illinois, she often walked past the building without knowing about the then-Institute. “In my senior year, I was trying to figure out a way into business that connected with my interests. As an undergrad, I was drawn to communications, sociology, and philosophy, and I grew up in a union family. I noticed the building one day on my way to class and decided to walk in and learn more,” she remembers. That simple moment of curiosity, followed by the warm welcome she received from staff and faculty, would change the course of her future.
After learning more about the program, Sarah decided to pursue her master’s degree at LER. She was drawn to the curriculum that connected theory and practice and felt at home among the students and faculty. She was fortunate to receive a teaching assistantship that helped make graduate school financially accessible, something she never took for granted.
Now, as CHRO for the American Lung Association, her career spans corporate and nonprofit sectors. Sarah recently established the Murphy/Krikorian Family Scholarship to help others access the same kind of opportunity. She credits LER not only for preparing her with a strong academic foundation but also for giving her the mentorship, relationships, and confidence she needed to succeed.
For Sarah, the scholarship is about more than financial support. It’s a way to remain engaged with the LER community and encourage the next generation of students. “Being part of this community means you’re never really doing it alone,” she says. She hopes that students see the alumni network as an active, accessible resource, one that wants to help them succeed both during their time in the program and long after graduation.
She has experienced that support firsthand. Ten years into her career, while facing a difficult professional crossroads, she reached out to her former professor, Peter Fuille, for guidance. “I wasn’t sure if he would even remember me,” she admits. “But he responded right away, offered his support, and reminded me of the value of the work we do. That meant the world to me.”
Throughout her career, including over a decade in international HR roles, Sarah has relied on the global perspective she developed at LER. Courses in comparative labor systems and labor economics provided critical context for working in diverse regulatory environments and navigating cross-cultural challenges.
To fellow alumni, she encourages exploring ways to give back.
“I used to think that establishing a scholarship was out of reach,” she says. “But there are so many ways to get involved, and even small contributions can make a real difference.”
Sarah Krikorian, AM 91, CHRO, American Lung Association
Sarah continues to stay connected by attending LER events, including executive forums and alumni gatherings. She was also the commencement speaker in May 2024. She sees these experiences as valuable touchpoints for staying informed and engaged in a rapidly evolving field.
Her advice to current students is simple but powerful: build your network early. “This is a community that wants to help,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to lean on it, you’re not in this alone.”
Sarah has lived that advice by serving as a mentor to an LER master’s student, now fellow alumnus Michael Walsh. Under her mentorship, he started a career in consulting, went on to complete his PhD, and now serves in his current role as a Senior Director of Workforce Analytics for Eaton Corporation. He credits his successful start out of school and the tremendous path afterwards to Sarah’s guidance and advice.
“Sarah truly helped start my career on the amazing path that has led me to my success today. She gave me advice about consulting, she put me on this path, she mentored me as a student, she supported me as a young professional, and she made great introductions to new members of my network. I would have nothing resembling my success today without her advice and counsel.”
Dr. Michael Walsh, MHRIR 05, Senior Director of Workforce Analytics, Eaton Corporation
The LER community is fortunate to have alumni like Sarah, whose generosity and dedication ensure that future generations will thrive.
If you’re inspired by Sarah’s story and would like to support student scholarship opportunities, please contact Cory Hatfield at coryhat@illinois.edu or 217-300-2056.
