Sarah Lawrence College welcomes Rachel Rose as the new head coach of the men’s and women’s cross country programs. Rose brings a strong combination of Division III athletic experience, science education, and a passion for student development to the Gryphons as she begins leading the programs in the 2026 season.
A 2023 graduate of Ithaca College, Rose competed for four years on the Bombers’ cross country and track & field teams and served as team captain from 2021–23. During her cross country career, she earned Liberty League All-Academic honors three times and was named to the All-Liberty League Second Team in 2021 after placing 12th at the conference championships. She recorded collegiate personal bests of 15:10.8 in the 4K, 21:04.1 in the 5K, and 23:35.2 in the 6K.
Rose also enjoyed an accomplished track & field career, earning multiple USTFCCCA Indoor All-Region honors, Liberty League recognition, and All-Academic honors. As a first-year student, she earned second-team Liberty League honors in the distance medley relay and set a meet record in the event with a time of 12:30.20.
Academically, Rose graduated summa cum laude from Ithaca College with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, while also studying psychology and neuroscience. She went on to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching Biology (7–12) from Columbia University Teachers College in 2024, with a focus on mathematics, science, and technology.
Rose currently serves as a science teacher at West Prep Academy, where she designs and implements curriculum for sixth-grade students and leads department-wide curriculum development. She is also pursuing continuing education to become a Nest-certified teacher and continues to collaborate with New York University on a Justice-Centered STEM Education research project focused on addressing real-world challenges in middle school education.
A native of East Meadow, N.Y., Rose has previously taught at Urban Assembly for Green Careers, Bay Ridge Upper Preparatory School, and Robert F. Wagner Middle School.
With her experience as a collegiate athlete, educator, researcher, and mentor, Rose brings a student-centered approach to Sarah Lawrence Athletics and is poised to help the Gryphons continue their success both on the course and in the classroom.
