Sara P Chavarria

Assistant Dean of Research, College of Education
Assistant Director, STEM

Designs and conducts informal learner-centered educational programming that is representative of community-informed experiences for first-generation and low-income students as well as for instructors that serve these students.  Facilitates institutional partnerships and supports initiatives that advance scholarship and promote effective design of high-quality STEM experiences for students, staff, and faculty. Works with Education and STEM faculty to leverage Education science expertise to facilitate research on effective learning practices for UA students and K-12 audiences; and to guide STEM faculty on how to establish meaningful, asset-based, learner-centered, and affirming engagement practices and programs that effectively retain students within a wide range of diverse STEM domains. As a first-generation, low-income Tejana, Dr. Chavarria is committed to all students aiming to access higher education and the STEM workforce.  

Research Interests
Student retention, low income student retention, low income student support, first generation college students, access, borderlands