Dr. Sara Spowart’s journey to USF's College of Public Health (COPH) from international development to mental health championing is one shaped by experience, resilience and a commitment to improving well-being.
Originally born in Connecticut, but raised in Monterey, Calif., Spowart’s academic path began with a bachelor's degree in global studies, focusing on social and economic development at the University of California Santa Barbara, where she completed her studies in three years through the honors program. She then pursued a master's degree at the nearby Middlebury Institute of International Studies in 2010 before earning her PhD in public health from the COPH in 2014.
Originally interested in food security and humanitarian work, Spowart’s focus shifted after observing what she termed “emotional poverty.”
“I realized that many issues tied to poverty stemmed from mental health struggles,” she said. She later pursued a master’s and doctorate in marriage and family therapy.
Her international work reinforced the connection between health and poverty. While in Tanzania in 2008, she contracted typhoid after drinking contaminated water, an experience that nearly cost her life.
Street children in Hanang, Tanzania, receive education and basic needs through an initiative Spowart co-created with Janeth Wema. (Photo courtesy of Spowart)
“I was misdiagnosed with malaria, given the wrong medication and became critically ill,” Spowart recalled. That turning point led her to public health. “I realized through that experience that if people had better health, poverty and hunger would be significantly reduced.”
Although she was initially accepted into Tulane University, she felt it wasn’t the right fit and followed her instincts to visit USF. She was drawn to its strong international development program, abundant teaching and research opportunities and the welcoming atmosphere of Tampa and St. Petersburg.
Spowart said the generous scholarship she received also played a key role in her decision, but ultimately, it was the sense that the COPH was the right place for her academic and professional growth that solidified her choice.
“I always follow my gut feelings,” she said.
A non-profit program Spowart supports in Afghanistan offers secret schooling for girls, using cooking oil incentives to encourage attendance. (Photo courtesy of Spowart)
At the COPH, Spowart explored the long-term benefits of mindfulness in reducing anxiety, depression, pain and stress. She described it as a fundamental component of “mental health hygiene,” comparing it to daily practices like brushing teeth or washing hands.
“We know we need healthy relationships, proper nutrition and sleep, but we rarely think about mental health hygiene,” Spowart said. “If we don’t know how to handle emotions, we often develop unhealthy coping mechanisms.”
Reflecting on her time at USF, she emphasized the importance of thoughtful communication.
“I used to speak without thinking, but my doctoral experience taught me to be deliberate with my words,” she said. “That awareness has served me well in my career.”
Spowart is on track to earn her third master's degree, this time a Master of Arts in Happiness Studies from Centenary University, expected to be completed in May 2025.
Ladies in Mali craft jewelry as part of a project co-founded by Spowart and a former colleague, providing sustainable income and economic independence. (Photo courtesy of Spowart)
Spowart’s professional journey spans multiple roles, from working with survivors of violence at Suncoast Center in Pinellas County to human trafficking prevention work in Washington, D.C. She also taught public health courses at various institutions, including NYU’s medical school, where she led mindfulness classes for research studies.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Spowart founded her own business, Compassion-Based Happiness, offering therapy and mindfulness programs. She developed a unique therapeutic model, Happiness-Based Mindfulness, which integrates positive emotions and compassion.
“Mindfulness is powerful, but we also need to cultivate positivity,” she explained. Her work is now being published and structured for broader application.
Looking ahead, Spowart hopes to expand her research and bring happiness studies to the COPH. “I developed the Integrative Theory of Happiness to unify different perspectives on well-being. The article I wrote on it was edited by a Nobel Prize-nominated editor,” she noted. She is also working on a workshop that she hopes one day could be introduced to the COPH, integrating her expertise to support the university community.
Spowart’s dedication to mental health, mindfulness, and happiness studies reflects her mission to address emotional poverty on a systemic level.
“There are many areas of public health that are well-researched, but mental well-being is often overlooked. My goal is to develop replicable, structured solutions that can make a lasting impact.”
Fast Five
What did you dream of becoming when you were young?
Where would we find you on the weekend?
On the weekend I am hanging out with my husband, resting on the beach or doing yoga.
What is the last book you read?
The Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu scripture
What superpower would you like to have?
I'd like to have the power to help everyone be more empathetic.
What’s your all-time favorite movie?
The Indiana Jones series!