Sarah McCleskey Jeopardy Profile: Age, Job, Family, Stats
Find out all the Jeopardy! results for Sarah McCleskey, including games played, scores and competitors.
Sarah McCleskey Jeopardy Contestant Profile
Sarah McCleskey is an experienced academic librarian and higher education administrator who serves as Vice Dean for Administrative and User Services at Hofstra University Library in Hempstead, New York. With more than 35 years of professional experience in academic libraries, she has built a career specializing in copyright, licensing, collection development, educational video acquisition, project management, library administration, resource sharing, library renovation, and systems operations. McCleskey joined Hofstra University in 2004 and spent nearly two decades as Head of Resource and Collection Services before being promoted to Vice Dean in June 2024.
Prior to Hofstra, she worked at Clemson University’s Gunnin Architecture Library as Branch Head from 1998 to 2004, overseeing library operations for architecture, fine arts, art history, planning, landscape architecture, and construction management programs. Earlier in her career, she served as Collection Manager at the Music Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1990 to 1998. Her academic background is rooted in the humanities and classics. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Latin and Politics from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, graduating as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, followed by a Master of Arts in Classical Archaeology and later a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Outside her university leadership roles, McCleskey has been active in professional and scholarly organizations. She served as Chair of the Board of Directors for The National Media Market & Conference from 2015 to 2017 and later continued as Past Chair and Treasurer. She has also served as Secretary of the Phi Beta Kappa Omega Chapter of New York since 2011. Her professional interests include higher education, library science, information literacy, collection development, teaching, research, and student development. She also completed the CopyrightX program, reflecting her expertise in copyright law and intellectual property issues affecting libraries and education.
In June 2026, McCleskey gained national attention as a contestant on Jeopardy!. A lifelong fan of the quiz show, she had been taking qualifying tests and attending auditions since approximately 2006 before finally receiving a call to compete. She described spending weeks preparing with flashcards on topics such as geography, science, U.S. presidents, and opera. During interviews with Hofstra University, she revealed her love of classics and archaeology, her admiration for host Ken Jennings, and her excitement at representing Hofstra on a national stage. She hosted a watch party at her home while family members gathered in Asheville, North Carolina; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and New Haven, Connecticut to watch her appearance.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Sarah McCleskey |
| Location and Residence | Astoria, New York. Professionally based in Hempstead, New York, United States. Works at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. |
| Profession and Jobs | Academic Librarian; Higher Education Administrator; Vice Dean for Administrative and User Services, Hofstra University Library (June 2024–Present); Head of Resource and Collection Services, Hofstra University (August 2004–June 2024); Branch Head, Gunnin Architecture Library, Clemson University (March 1998–July 2004); Collection Manager, Music Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (August 1990–February 1998). Expertise includes copyright, licensing, streaming video, educational media acquisition, project management, collection management, library administration, library renovation, collection analysis, space design, resource sharing, systems operations, circulation, reserves, and periodicals management. |
| Gender and Sex | Female |
| Age and Date of Birth | Estimated mid-to-late 50s or early 60s. Likely born between 1964 and 1969 |
| Nationality and Ethnicity | American. White/Caucasian American |
| Education and School | Master of Library & Information Science (M.L.I.S.), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1992–1997); Master of Arts (M.A.) in Classical Archaeology, UNC Chapel Hill (1988–1991); Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Latin and Politics, Randolph-Macon Woman’s College (1983–1987); Phi Beta Kappa member. Studies included Greek architecture, Greek language, Latin language, art history, archaeology, cataloging, collection assessment, access and discoverability. Completed CopyrightX course. |
| Relationships (Married, Dating, Sexuality) and Family | Marital status not publicly disclosed. Sexual orientation not publicly disclosed. Mentioned family members living in Asheville, North Carolina; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and New Haven, Connecticut who gathered to watch her Jeopardy! appearance. Previously watched Jeopardy! with her grandparents as a child. |
| Biography and More Details | Veteran academic librarian with more than 35 years of experience in university libraries. Has worked in library leadership, collection development, media services, copyright, licensing, and administration. Holds leadership roles in professional organizations including The National Media Market & Conference and Phi Beta Kappa Omega of New York. Maintains over 500 LinkedIn connections and more than 685 followers. Active member of organizations including Video Trust and Phi Beta Kappa Omega of New York. Lifelong Jeopardy! fan who began auditioning around 2006 and eventually appeared on the show in June 2026. Prepared extensively with flashcards, maps, and science materials. Enjoys archaeology and ancient history, reflecting her academic training in classics. Helped support Hofstra University’s Jeopardy! Club by arranging library meeting space. Known professionally for expertise in higher education, library science, information literacy, research, editing, teaching, and student development. |
Contestant Image Credit: Jeopardy Official Website
Sarah McCleskey Jeopardy Results
| Tuesday, 16 June 2026 | Adam Remsen Memphis, Tennessee Attorney & Theater Producer 2 Day Winnings of $35,801 Winning Score: $21,800 Round 2 Score: $28,400 Round 1 Score: $8,000 | Nabil Rahman Originally Queens, New York Government Employee Final Score: $1,625 Round 2 Score: $1,600 Round 1 Score: $1,600 | Sarah McCleskey Astoria, New York Academic Librarian Final Score: $3,300 Round 2 Score: $6,000 Round 1 Score: $3,600 |