Veterans Transition Coach
Sarah E. Minnis, PhD
Professional Bio
Sarah E. Minnis, PhD, is an experienced scholar-practitioner with more than 30 years of experience in human resources, higher education administration, career coaching, and organization development, with more than 15 years addressing veterans’ transition. As a recognized leader in veterans’ employment life research and practice, Sarah has published and presented nationally and internationally on her research and expertise addressing veterans’ holistic transition. Veterans at every stage in the transition have benefited from her career coaching and development. Through her research, Sarah has developed a support model and strategies to help veterans’ development as they transition from military to civilian life.
Sarah’s research-to-practice frameworks support employers’ understanding of the value veterans bring to civilian employment communities. Organizational leaders, managers, and HR professionals in decision-making positions have benefited from Sarah’s knowledge and experience. In addition to providing individual pro bono transition coaching for veterans, Sarah has anchored panels, led workshops, and contributed to industry and academic journals highlighting impactful practices for supporting and sustaining transitioning veterans.
Sarah is an Associate Professor of Human Resources at Western Carolina University and consults regularly with higher education, non-profit, and human resource organizations on veterans’ transition challenges. She holds a PhD in Educational Human Resource Development from Texas A&M University, an MAE in Student Affairs from Western Kentucky University, and a BA in Psychology from Central Washington University.
Curriculum Vitae
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Education
PhD, 2014, Texas A&M University, Human Resource Development
MA, 2017, Western Carolina University
BA, 1993, Central Washington University​
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Research​​
​My primary research interests are in exploring the post-military transition of military veterans, the employment experiences of veterans with service-connected disabilities, and the underlying constructs of military-friendly employment practices.​
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Research Manuscripts
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Book Chapters
​Minnis, S.E., Huyler, D., & Kirchner, M. (2024). The essentialness of scholar-practitioners. In T. S. Rocco, M. L. Morris, R. F. Poell (Eds) The Sage Handbook of Human Resource Development. Sage Publications Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781529674088.n53
Greer, T.W., Minnis, S.E. (2022). Using developmental relationships to navigate career transitions: Implications for diverse populations. In: Ghosh, R., Hutchins, H.M. (Eds) HRD Perspectives on Developmental Relationships. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85033-3_2
Minnis, S.E., Kirchner, M. (2021). Veteran experts: Transitioning military expertise into civilian work. In: Germain, ML., Grenier, R.S. (eds) Expertise at Work. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64371-3_5
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Conference Presentations
Minnis, S.E. (2025). Beyond Meaningful: Making the Case for Sustainable Employment. University Forum for Human Resource Development, Belfast, UK.
​Minnis, S.E. (2024). Veteran Experts: Transitioning Military Expertise into Civilian Work. Centre for Military Research, Education & Public Engagement, Edinburgh, UK.
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Presentations
"Veterans as a Diverse Population in Higher Education"​​
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Media
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Courses Taught
Organization Acumen for HR Leaders
Human Resources Research & Evaluation Methods
Principles & Practice in Human Resources
Human Resource Development
Organization Development
Career Development
Talent Development
Responsible HR Leadership: The Regulatory Environment, Ethics, & Social Responsibility
HR Consulting Theory and Practice
Leadership in Human Resources​​
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