Name: Sarah Coyne
BYU employee since: 2007
My job at BYU is… a professor in the School of Family Life.
Currently I’m working on… A study on how positive body image lyrics in music influence body image in women. So think Colbie Caillat's Try, or Meghan Trainor's All About That Bass.
I get most excited about my work when… I see students showing passion for media research. There's nothing better!
The West Wing …changed the way I view… politics …because… I didn't have a political identity before I watched that TV show. I study the media so I am very interested in how media shapes our attitudes and behaviors. The West Wing is my very favorite TV program of all time (and this is saying a lot because I study the media!) because it pushed me to really think about what I believed. It helped me realize that I had no or very weak opinions on a variety of political topics such as the death penalty, gun control, school vouchers, sale of arms to foreign countries, etc. etc. etc. I love when media can push us to really THINK - this is the best type of media in my opinion!
What makes teaching the greatest job in the world is… Easy – my students, I love them so much! Teaching is the icing on the cake of the job. I particularly love working with a small group of students on a research project.
The best-kept BYU secret is… The beautiful path right below the Spencer W. Kimball Tower (SWKT) and Joseph F. Smith Building (JFSB). There is a gorgeous path with trees, streams, waterfalls and even a duck or two. I just discovered it last year and I go walking there when I need a break from my office.
I became a BYU fan when… I was a kid. I grew up in Utah county, so I’ve been a Cougar fan for as long as I can remember!
On Saturday mornings you’ll find me… Snuggling in bed with my four kids. We love to read books together.
My go-to comfort food is… Popcorn. I eat it like five times a week. Air popped with a little bit of melted butter drizzled over the top. Yum.
My favorite TV show growing up was… Probably Rainbow Brite or She-Ra. I was definitely a child of the '80s!
One item on my bucket list is… Visit the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
