Scholar Stories: Zieve Aims to Shape Lives Using Policy, Business Degrees
10/11/2017 11:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country, Features
Continuing the popular series that began in 2016-17, each Wednesday MGoBlue.com will highlight a Michigan student-athlete and their academic pursuits. These are our Scholar-Athlete Stories, presented by Prairie Farms.
By Brandon Koretz
When Sarah Zieve was given the opportunity to speak on behalf of student-athletes at last spring's University of Michigan Athletics Graduation Celebration, she knew it was something she couldn't turn down.
"You will face pressure to go alone, to get that promotion or to seek individual recognition," said Zieve in her speech. "In these moments, remember how special it is to be a part of a team. Remember how you accomplished so much more at Michigan because of your team. We will always be Michigan Wolverines and will always remember wearing the block M together."
Zieve, now a graduate student in her final year on the track and cross country teams, said it felt amazing to be on stage and to be able to share a message about which she was really passionate. The influence her team made on her extended beyond the miles they've run together.
For the Northport, New York, native, delivering that speech marked the culmination of her most memorable weekend at Michigan. The day before she took sixth in the championship section of the Penn Relays 3,000-meter steeplechase, clocking 10:15.82 for a five-second personal record in her first race back from an injury.
"I just came back from a stress fracture that I had at the end of the indoor season, and it was unclear whether I was going to be able to salvage an outdoor track season just because of the time I had to spend out with this injury," said Zieve. "I remember crossing the finish line and seeing the time and being so overwhelmed because all the self-doubt I had disappeared."
As a student-athlete who has fully embraced the academics that Michigan has to offer, Zieve found her niche within the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.
A self-described "news junkie," Zieve said she started watching the news with an interest in being a broadcaster. She soon realized that she was really interested in what the broadcasters were covering, which at the time was the Affordable Care Act.
"When a University of Michigan recruiter came to my high school, a bunch of students met with her and she was reading off potential majors," said Zieve. "One student asked, 'What is public policy?' This light bulb went off in my head. I said I knew exactly what this is. Public policy is the study of policies like the Affordable Care Act that help people understand the effect that government can have on people's lives at a state, local and federal level. Coming to Michigan, I was really excited about the opportunity to study beyond just what you see in news coverage."
After graduating from the Ford School, Zieve enrolled in the Stephen M. Ross School of Business as a graduate student.
"Right now I'm pursuing opportunities that would allow me to use my business degree and skills in a policy-facing role," said Zieve. "I think the business skills I'm getting will make me an even more effective policy analyst and help me understand issues better. I really like looking at all the business courses with a policy lens. For example, I'm understanding how I can use marketing in policy or politics."
Zieve's relationship with her coach, Mike McGuire, has contributed to her academic and athletic success.
"Working with Mike, I've become an athlete I never dreamed I could be," said Zieve. "I run times in workouts now that I never would've believed in high school. He's such a level head and a strong leader. He's excited to hear about the job interviews I get or the job opportunities other girls on the team are pursuing. It really feels like he cares."
As a fifth-year team member, Zieve has a handle on the difficulties that come with balancing academics and athletics. She has a lot of pride in being a student-athlete.
"I don't think you need to sacrifice your athletics in order to be a good student," Zieve said. "A lot of people get caught up too much in just the athletic performance."
For someone who chose to attend the University because it was the perfect place to pursue her academic and athletic goals, Zieve has embraced everything that it means to be a Michigan Wolverine.
"Being able to wear the block M represents an opportunity to be the best version of myself on and off the track," said Zieve. "It means representing one of the greatest universities in the world. Being able to represent the professors and students I know that work so hard is an honor."
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