Arlene Sacks studied under B.F. Skinner’s daughter in her professional training to become a behaviorist, hence her ability to focus on a specific behavior one needs to accomplish, to help a person move forward. She also further studied history, psychology, philosophy and finances in order to get a deeper grasp on how to function as a widow.

“I was a fairly average New York City girl who married a fairly average boy from Brooklyn, who basically did what they were supposed to do and it worked. The harder we worked, the luckier we got. One of my great successes in life is that my granddaughters view me as a role model.”

Arlene served as the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Union Institute and University. Previously, she served as dean of the PhD, EdD, and MA programs, also at Union Institute & University. Arlene has directed graduate programs at Barry University and St. Thomas University, both in Miami, Florida. She earned her doctorate at West Virginia University. Arlene is a woman who is both a public school advocate and a special education advocate with a similar goal to help others move forward, frequently providing a path.

Arlene Sacks' Moving Forward: The Widow's Journey was an Amazon bestselling book, and continues to garner rave 5-star reviews, years after its release in 2022. Upon its release, it was selected for the shortlist for the 2022 U.S. Selfies Book Award in the category of memoir/autobiography and was also named a Finalist in the Foreword Indies 2022 awards. In 2025, Arlene received first place in a “Short Story” contest with the South Florida Writers Association for her short story titled, Travels with Sam.

After her retirement, she dove headfirst back into the writing world and has recently released her second book, The Alchemy of Love & Marriage: How We Repaired the Cracks and Cemented Our Bond. In what she is calling her “teaching memoir,” she shares with disarming honesty the story of her long, complex, and ultimately deeply rewarding marriage, and how she brought it back from the brink with wisdom, strength, love-and a plan. Her story is sure to resonate with couples at every stage of their journey, and especially those wondering, should I stay or should I go?