Sandra Philius
About Sandra Philius
Sandra Philius is a Customer Experience Associate at Headway, where she leads the company's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy. She has extensive experience in student affairs and customer service, having worked at several universities and organizations in various roles focused on student engagement and support.
Current Role at Headway
Sandra Philius serves as a Customer Experience Associate at Headway, a position she has held since 2021. In this role, she manages approximately 40 customer inquiries daily, utilizing email and phone interactions to provide solutions. She employs Zendesk to streamline communication and enhance customer support. Sandra actively participates in Headway's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee, attending weekly meetings to contribute to the company's DEI initiatives. Additionally, she proactively identifies customer friction points and recommends process or product improvements to enhance the overall customer experience.
Previous Experience in Higher Education
Sandra Philius has extensive experience in higher education, having worked in various roles across multiple institutions. She served as a Resident Assistant at the University of Florida from 2012 to 2013. Later, she worked as an Academic and Student Affairs Advisor at Washington University in St. Louis from 2018 to 2021. Additionally, she held the position of Graduate Assistant for Student Organizations at Nova Southeastern University from 2016 to 2018. Sandra also completed internships in Multicultural Student Affairs at the University of Miami and in Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at Florida Atlantic University in 2017.
Educational Background
Sandra Philius earned her Master of Science (M.S.) degree in College Student Affairs from Nova Southeastern University, completing her studies from 2016 to 2018. Prior to that, she obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology from the University of Florida, where she studied from 2009 to 2013. Her educational background has provided her with a solid foundation for her roles in customer experience and student affairs.
Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion
At Headway, Sandra Philius founded and co-chairs the Employee Resource Group (ERG) named 'Headwegians of Color.' This group focuses on enhancing psychological safety and professional development for BIPOC employees within the organization. Sandra also leads Headway's DEI strategy and collaborates with a DEI subcommittee to select a consulting firm for the company's first DEI training. Her leadership in these initiatives demonstrates her commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace.
Community Engagement and Early Career
Before her current role, Sandra Philius engaged in community service as a Pre-K Literacy Tutor with AmeriCorps, serving with the Florida Reading Corps from 2015 to 2016. She also worked as a Bookseller at Barnes & Noble, Inc. from 2014 to 2016. These early career experiences contributed to her skills in communication and customer service, which she applies in her current position.