Sasser is a nationally recognized expert in the study of aging and served as president of the Oregon Gerontological Association from 2008 to 2010. She is chair of the Department of Human Sciences and Director of the Gerontology Program at Marylhurst University, which she also established. She was a state delegate at the White House Conference on Aging and has led numerous Marylhurst University committees and boards.
Sasser has been described as a mentor, scholar, advocate, collaborator and an academic ambassador. As a self-described "gero-punk," Sasser practices "gerontological anarchy" and "intentional aging;" she wants to upend traditional thinking about aging, and create new norms for life’s experiences. Sasser has won awards from the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, AARP/Andrus Foundation, and the Oregon Gerontological Association. She was also recognized by Marylhurst with the Trustees’ Excellence Award in 2010 and a Distinguished Faculty Award in 2012.