Department of Social Work

Education: 

• BA in Psychology and Spanish, Appalachian State University
• MSW, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Specialties:

• Immigration Policy and Social Work Practice
• Educational Opportunities for Latine Students
• Cultural Humility 
• Direct Practice with Children and Families

Biography: Before rejoining the faculty as Field Practicum Coordinator in July 2025, Sarah previously served as a Senior Lecturer on the Appalachian State social work faculty from 2016-2023. She completed her undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Spanish at AppState in 2004 and went on to earn her MSW from the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill in 2006. During her studies, Sarah spent a semester in Santander, Spain, and had the unique opportunity to spend a month in Mexico learning about the push factors of immigration. Later, as a social work faculty member, she was fortunate to co-lead 2 study abroad trips to Costa Rica in 2018 and 2019, and to conduct an exploratory trip to the US/Mexico border in 2019.

Latine immigrant youth and families have always been at the center of Sarah's social work practice, research, teaching, and advocacy work. Before becoming a social work educator, she worked as a Bilingual Parent Educator for the Children's Council of Watauga County, Bilingual Home Visitor with Durham Early Head Start at the Center for Child and Family Health, and Program Coordinator/Hispanic Outreach Liaison for the GEAR UP Appalachian Partnership. Most recently, she served as the Regional Director of Social Services, South for Kids in Need of Defense, a non-profit providing pro bono legal and social services to unaccompanied immigrant youth. Throughout her time in academia, Sarah has been involved in research and service activities related to educational opportunities for Latine youth and helped establish the Immigrant Mountaineers Movement at AppState. She is also a long-time board member of the Watauga County Immigrant Justice Coalition.

Curriculum Vitae: View