James Stakenburg, Neighbor

James Stakenburg is the Executive Director of Lifelong Learning at Sarah Lawrence College, a prestigious liberal arts college in Bronxville, NY. James oversees an extensive portfolio of learning opportunities, for people aged 2 to 102 and beyond. These include the college's Early Childhood Center, Child Development Institute, Writing Institute, Summer Arts Institute, Center for the Urban River at Beczak, Sarah Lawrence Extension, and the college's Signature Learning Community for adults 55+.

James has a strong belief in the importance of a liberal arts education at all stages and ages of life. His current field of interest includes a focus on the benefits of learning at later stages of life, including midlife transitions and late-life learning.

Prior to working at Sarah Lawrence College, James was Executive Director of Special Programs at Pace University, where he oversaw several areas including pre-college programs, high school bridge programs, continuing education and corporate training programs, late life learning programs, and the English Language Institute.

He has extensive global experience leading continuing education and language programs and is passionate about building programs that expand access to high quality educational experiences.  Prior to working at Pace University, James was Center Director at a private language center that taught English, eight world languages, and teacher training programs.

James has a master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the University of New South Wales and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Queensland.