Sarah Cyganiak

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dr. Sarah J. Cyganiak is a dedicated language educator with more than twenty years of experience teaching Spanish to students of all levels, from K5 through the university level, and to learners from diverse backgrounds. In addition to Spanish, she has also taught Italian and English and is passionate about language learning, travel, and cultural immersion.

Dr. Cyganiak earned her PhD in Romance Languages and Literatures from the University of Michigan, along with master’s degrees in Spanish Language and Literature and Italian Literature and Film from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She also completed a certificate in Italian Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and received undergraduate degrees in Spanish and Economics from the University of Michigan, where she competed on the women’s tennis team as a scholarship student-athlete.

Her academic and professional experiences have taken her throughout the Spanish-speaking world, including Spain, México, Cuba, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico, where she has studied, traveled, and participated in professional conferences. She has also studied abroad multiple times and traveled extensively throughout Italy, enriching both her linguistic expertise and cultural perspective.

Outside the classroom, Dr. Cyganiak remains actively involved in competitive tennis and other racquet sports and enjoys spending time with family and friends. A proud alumna of the former St. Cecilia’s School in Thiensville and University School of Milwaukee, Dr. Cyganiak is grateful to be part of the Aug Prep community and is committed to inspiring students through the study of the Spanish language and the diverse cultures of the global Spanish-speaking community.