Overview
Dr. Sara Mata is the Executive Director of Hispanic Serving Initiatives and Assistant Teaching Professor in Intervention Services and Leadership in Education (ISLE) at 麻豆破解版 State University in 麻豆破解版, Kansas. Dr. Mata received a Bachelor鈥檚 in Sociology with an emphasis in Juvenile Corrections and Treatment, a Master鈥檚 in Community Counseling, a Master鈥檚 in Sociology, and a Doctorate in Social Foundations from Oklahoma State University.
Dr. Mata is a proud first-generation and a community college graduate. Sara currently serves on the Executive Committee for the NASPA Foundation Board as Member at Large as well as on the NASPA Center for Women Board. In addition, Dr. Mata previously was a 2022-2023 HACU-Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities La Academia de Liderazgo Fellow, and a 2022 NASPA Pillar of the Profession. In addition to national service, Dr. Mata serves her local community as a Vice President of the Board for CASA-Court Appointed Special Advocates of Sedgwick County, a Board Member for the Mid America All-Indian Museum, is on the Scholarship Committee for the Kansas Hispanic Education & Development Foundation, Board Member for Podemos, Board Member for Oklahoma Tribal Engagement Partners and most recently named to the Citizens Review Board for the City of 麻豆破解版.
Information
Education
Ph. D. in Social Foundations - December 2014
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
Dissertation: Discourses of a Cancer Diagnosis: Narratives of Women in Academia
M.S. in Sociology - December 2007
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
Creative Component: Spirit from Within: A qualitative study examining self-reported responses of resiliency by Native American women. In the hopes of bridging intergenerational connections, the findings were shared with adolescent Native American girls at varies programs.
M.S. in Community Counseling - May 2005
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
Creative Component: Adolescent Girls Program
Developed an 8-session psycho-educational girls group, addressing issues typically faced during this developmental life stage. The foundation of the group focuses on promoting positive mental health, relationships, self-confidence, and wellness.
B.A. in Sociology - December 2003
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
Emphasis in Juvenile Corrections and Treatment
Associates of Applied Science in Computer Graphic Design - December 1996
Cowley County Community College, Arkansas City, KS
Alvarez, W. & De Walt, P.S. (Eds). (2022). Voicing Diverse Teaching Experiences, Approaches, and Perspectives in Higher Education. IGI Global. Mata, S., Ch. 11 Culturally Relevant Pedagogy and Praxis of Latina.
McKay, D., Mata, S., Parker, S. (2020) Flipping the Script Towards Health Equity: A Call for Native Land Acknowledgment. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior Vol 52, Issue 10, October 2020, Page 905
Mata, S. (2019) Discourses of a Cancer Diagnosis: Narratives of Women in Academia, Journal of Women and Gender in Higher Education, 12:1, 125-141, DOI: 10.1080/19407882.2018.1533480
Stovall-Amos, A., Parker, S., Mata, S., Fox, J., Jackson, T., Miracle, S. & Hermann, J. (2014) Eagle Adventure: School-Based Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Program Results in Improved Outcomes Related to Food and Physical Activity. Journal of Extension 14400TOT Jones, E., Peercy, M., Woods,
J., Parker, S., Jackson, T., Mata S., et al. (2015). Identifying Postpartum Intervention Approaches to Reduce Cardiometabolic
Risk Among American Indian Women With Prior Gestational Diabetes,
Oklahoma, 2012鈥�2013. Prev Chronic Dis 2015;12:140566.
Work Experience
Executive Director of Hispanic Serving Institution
麻豆破解版 State University - Feb. 2023 鈥� Present
Dean of Students and Co-Director of Hispanic Initiatives
Newman University - Jan. 2022 鈥� Dec. 2022
Duties: supervises the Residence Life, Student Activities, and Multicultural Affairs areas and coordinates judicial, assessment, orientation, and leadership training initiatives. Contribute to recruitment, retention and graduation efforts as well as serve on committees to formulate university-wide policies for academic and student affairs. Serve to advance Newman University in preparing the foundation to become a Hispanic Serving Institution.
Faculty Affiliate, Department of Sociology
University of Oklahoma - Sept. 2018鈥� Dec. 2021
Duties: Teach undergraduate courses, to include: Introduction to Sociology, Social Problems, Race, Class and Gender. Promote and support research for undergraduate students
Research Associate, Vice President of Research and Partnerships
University of Oklahoma - Sept. 2020 鈥� Nov. 2021
Duties: Supporting a collaboration with the National University of San Agustin de
Arequipa, Peru. The projects relate to research necessary to improve understanding
of (a) the social determinants of disease (diabetes and cancer incidence in particular);
and (b) the multiple weather, water and air quality impacts of climate change; and
(c) the social dynamics at the heart of the coupled human and natural systems (heath,
weather, water, air and communities)
in the Arequipa region of Peru.
Research Associate for the Corix Plains Institute
University of Oklahoma - Sept. 2019 鈥� Sept. 2020
Duties: Supporting and advocating research initiatives associated with the Corix Plains Institute at OU. Monitoring projects, program evaluations and recruiting undergraduate students, primarily from underrepresented populations to graduate programs. Collaborating with faculty and graduate programs to incorporate more inclusive curriculum and practices.
Vice President of Student Affairs
Otero Junior College - May 2019 鈥� Sept. 2019
Duties: Provide executive-level leadership, strategic planning, oversight and coordination
of all areas in the Division for Student Services for programming, policy development,
personnel, facilities and fiscal resource management; Provide leadership and guidance
for the development and implementation of high-quality and student-centered approaches
to support student success in non-instructional dimensions of the student college
experience for a diverse student body; Develop and manage budgets within the purview
for Student Services;
Develop and enhance the non-instructional assessment of student learning outcomes
for Student Services; Ensure that all programs and services with Division for Student
Services comply with all relevant, state, federal and system policies.
NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) Program Coordinator
University of Oklahoma - Jan 2016 鈥� May 2019
Duties: Program administration and monitoring projects, program evaluations and developing long-range plans for the NSF grant titled: NRT: Aeroecology as a Test-bed for Interdisciplinary STEM Training. Promoting broader impacts of research both at the University of Oklahoma and beyond. Promoted faculty development and undergraduate to graduate programs student support.
Coordinator of International Students
Northern Oklahoma College - Aug 2015 鈥� Dec 2015
Duties: Provide a resource to assist international students at all of Northern Oklahoma College with support services needed to excel in academics. While housed in Stillwater, the position coordinates admissions, registration, tutoring and counseling services for all international students enrolled at NOC.
Assistant Director, Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services - OASIS
University of Nebraska-Lincoln - May 2014 鈥� June 2015
Duties: Actively participates in efforts to enhance retention, academic success, diversity awareness, and social programming. Offer one-on-one counseling and assistance to UNL students, particularly minority students, lowincome families, students who will be the first in their family to graduate from a four-year college and other underrepresented populations. Ensure a dedication to leading and supporting academic excellence and undergraduate student achievement at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Grant Coordinator, Department of Nutritional Science
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma - Sept 2010 鈥� May 2014
Duties: Assist in the creation, communication, delivery and evaluation of health information and interventions using customer-centered and science-based strategies to protect and promote the health of American Indian populations. Engage in mixed methods research designed specifically to enhance the understanding of the target audience's health beliefs in order to create successful social marketing and educational programs aimed at improved health of American Indian populations as well as health disparities overall.
Inclusion Leadership Coordinator
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma - May 2007 鈥� June 2010
Duties: Promote and educate high school and college students in the Inclusion Leadership Program in preparation of working in a diverse and inclusive society. Taught and coordinate seminars, videoconferences and other forms of communication between the outreach high school sites of Oklahoma City and Tulsa areas. A focus on recruitment and retention of students of historically underrepresented populations were essential. Collaborate with high school counselors, community organization as well as corporate sponsors in promoting programs and campus activities. Created, developed curriculum, and implemented a summer program titled STYLE-Strengthening Today鈥檚 Young Leaders through Education. STYLE was created for underrepresented high school females to educate holistically with college exposure, promoting STEM鈥檚 fields, as well as overall health and wellness. Balancing budget, planning activities, curriculum development, evaluating and assessing programs, supervising both graduate and undergraduate student workers and presenting at conferences were among other duties assigned.
Counselor: American Legion Children鈥檚 Home
Ponca City, Oklahoma - April 2008 鈥� May 2009
Fill-in part-time counselor for adolescent girl鈥檚 dormitory. Provided individual as well as group activity sessions for residents to contribute to their well-being and individual treatment plans.
Counselor: Northern Oklahoma Youth Services
Ponca City, Oklahoma - May 2004 鈥� June 2007
Duties: Adolescent individual therapy and family counseling, case formulation, treatment plans, report writing, progress notes, anger management and substances abuse groups, teaching classes in schools, First Time Offenders Group, Adult Role Model (ARMS) program, Juvenile Municipal Court, billing for Community At Risk and Medicaid. Outreach counselor for Kay, Noble and Pawnee Counties.
Americorp: Kaw Nation Tribal Youth Program
Newkirk, Oklahoma - Aug 2003 鈥� Aug 2004
Duties: Advocating & tutoring in rural schools with Native American students. Assisting in summer program involving activities, field trips, and retreats pertaining to Native American culture. Attending seminars and conferences for the federal funding of Tribal Youth Programs across the United States.
Learning Lighthouse Afterschool Program-USD 470
Arkansas City, Kansas - Feb 2003 鈥� May 2003
Duties: Promoting tutoring, activities & fieldtrips during the afterschool hours.
Intake worker: Stillwater Domestic Violence
Stillwater, Oklahoma - Feb 2002 鈥� July 2002
Duties: Assisting shelter clients during 24-hour weekend shift. Answering 24-hour crisis hotline. On-call shifts to respond to incidences requiring Stillwater Domestic Violence services.
Detention Assistant
Stillwater Police Department, Stillwater, Oklahoma - Feb 2002 鈥� Oct 2002
Duties: Operating control panel in jail. Assisting jailers, dispatch & police officers with various operations of jail & inmates.
Records Work-Study
Stillwater Police Department, Stillwater, Oklahoma - Aug 2001 鈥� May 2002
Duties: Work-study for Fall 鈥�01 & Spring 鈥�02 semesters. Record filing, data entering, & various duties within the records department.
Psychological Services Center
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma - July 2000 鈥� Feb 2001
Duties: Scheduling clients, billing & payment collections, answering & handling crisis calls. Handling monthly clinic budget. Scoring assessments & maintaining client paperwork and files.
First Intermark
Arkansas City, Kansas - May 1996 鈥� Sept 1999
Duties: Computer Graphic Design for a follow-up sales company. Worked with ATV, motorcycles, watersports and other utility vehicles dealerships throughout the United States doing letterhead, logos, mailing materials and greeting cards.
Dr. Vaidya Neurologist & Psychiatrist
Ponca City, Oklahoma - Dec 1995 鈥� Feb 1996
Duties: Scheduling clients & various tests. Billing, payment collections, answering & handling crisis calls. Maintaining client paperwork, insurance, and files.
Referral Clinic Coordinator
Arkansas City Memorial Hospital, Arkansas City, Kansas - July 1994 鈥� Dec 1995
Duties: Scheduling patients for area doctors. Assisted with Emergency Room registration, billing, admissions, PBX switchboard operator, & insurance processing.
2021-2022 NASPA Pillar of the Profession
2019 Namesake for the University of Oklahoma Camp Crimson
2015 Recipient of the NASPA Ruth Strang Research Award
Service Leadership
KHEDF-Educational Committee
Kansas Hispanic Education & Development Foundation
Apr 2023 鈥� Present
Sedgwick County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Board Member
Apr 2023 鈥� Present
Mid-America All-Indian Museum Education Board Member
Apr 2023 鈥� Present
NASPA Foundation Board of Directors - Member at Large
Mar 2018 鈥� Present
Core Affiliate Board Member of the Carceral Studies Consortium board
Dec 2020 鈥� Dec 2021
LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) Member
Feb 2020 鈥� Dec 2021
TICA (Tulsa Indian Community Academy) Board Member
Aug 2017鈥� Dec 2021
Pawnee/Osage C.A.S.A. (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Board Member
Jan 2007 鈥� Dec 2021
State of Oklahoma C.A.S.A. Board Member
Jan 2018鈥� May 2019
NASPA Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community Co-Chair
NASPA - National Association of Student Personnel Administration
Feb 2015鈥� Mar 2018
NASPA Foundation Ambassador Region IV-W
NASPA - National Association of Student Personnel Administration
Nov 2013鈥� Mar 2018
Regional Rep Liaison for Latino Knowledge Community
NASPA- National Association of Student Personnel Administration
May 2014鈥擬ar 2016
NASPA Multicultural Institute Conference Planning Committee
NASPA - National Association of Student Personnel Administration
2015
El Centro Board Member Lincoln, NE
Feb 2015鈥擩uly 2015
Humanities Nebraska Council Board
Jan 2015鈥擩uly 2015
NASPA Region IV-W Communication Coordinator
NASPA - National Association of Student Personnel Administration
Jun 2014鈥擬ar 2015
Project A.L.L. Leadership Lincoln
Fall 2014
Strategic Initiatives & Assessment for Latino Knowledge Community
NASPA- National Association of Student Personnel Administration
Nov 2010鈥擬ay 2014
Region IV-W Co-Chair for 2013 Regional Conference Hot Springs, AR
NASPA - National Association of Student Personnel Administration
Nov 2012鈥擭ov 2013
Region IV-West Knowledge Community Co-Coordinator
NASPA- National Association of Student Personnel Administration
Nov 2010 鈥� Mar 2013
National Advisory Committee
NCORE- Latino Caucus -National Conference on Race & Ethnicity
May 2009 鈥� 2012
Board Member
Simon Estes Educational Foundation
Apr 2011 鈥� Feb 2012
Conexiones Steering Committee Member
Community Service Council, Tulsa, OK
Aug 2008 鈥� Aug 2011
Research, Evaluation & Assessment Knowledge Community Rep.
Regional IV-West NASPA- National Association of Student Personnel Administration
Mar 2008 鈥� Mar 2011
PANI H.O.P.E. Coalition Member
Helping Others through Preventive Education
Oct 2006 鈥� Nov 2009
President of Hispanic Faculty & Staff Association
Mar 2008 鈥� Mar 2009
Volunteer Experience
NUFP Mentor
Duties: Mentor for NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program Scholar
Nov 2017 鈥� Current
Advisor for ASAP
Duties: Advisor for Aspiring Student Affairs Professionals
Sept 2018 鈥� Dec 2021
Advisor for SACNAS
Duties: Co-Advisor for Society of Advancement for Chicano/Hispanic & Native Americans in Science
Feb 2018 鈥� Dec 2021
Advisor Theta Nu Xi, Inc.
Duties: Campus advisor for multicultural sorority
Oct 2016 鈥� Dec 2021
OU Latinx Coalition (Co-Founder)
Duties: Promote and support Latinx/a/o faculty and staff at OU
July 2016鈥� Dec 2021
OK-LSAMP Mentor
Duties: Mentor for Oklahoma Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Scholar
Dec 2017 鈥� Dec 2021
NUFP Mentor
Duties: Mentor for NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program Scholar
Nov 2017 鈥� Dec 2021
Advisor for LGSA
Duties: Advisor for Latinx Graduate Student Association
Aug 2018 鈥� Dec 2021
Advisor for SIC
Duties: Advisor for STEMs Inclusion Council-Graduate Students in STEM
Sept 2018 鈥� May 2019
Member of Environmental Concerns Committee
Duties: Serve to promote sustainable initiatives at OU
Aug 2017 鈥� May 2019
Advisor for LASH
Duties: Advisor for Latinx Association for Science and Health
July 2017 鈥� May 2019
McNair Mentor
Duties: Mentor research project for current McNair Scholar
Dec 2016 鈥� May 2019
Member of Staff Initiatives Committee
Duties: Support policies and procedures support staff at OU
Aug 2016鈥擬ay 2017
Advisor for UNITE University of Nebraska Inter-Tribal Exchange
Duties: Campus advisor for Native American Student Organization
Sept 2014鈥擩uly 2015
Advisor for UNL Sigma Lambda Gamma
Duties: Campus advisor for sorority
Aug 2014鈥擩uly 2015
Advisor for OSU Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Duties: Campus advisor for sorority
Oct 2013鈥擬ay 2014
Advisor for Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Duties: Campus advisor for professional student organization
Aug 2012鈥擬ay 2014
Co-Advisor Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority
Duties: Mentor founding members of the 1st Latina sorority at OSU
May 2009鈥擬ay 2010
Speaking Engagements
NASPA Undergraduate Student Conference - April 2023
Considering the Profession of Student Affairs
Young Latinos of 麻豆破解版 - September 2022
Our Latinx/a/o Identity
OSU-HSC SACNAS Chapter - May 2022
Cultural Identity and Professionalism
The Ije Awele Foundation - June 2021
Cancer Diagnosis and how it affects people in the Workplace
Graduate College, University of Oklahoma - April 2021
Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
OSU-HSC Social Consciousness Series; Oklahoma State University - April 2021
Mentorship, Perspectives and Purpose: Examining Health in Latinx Community
Latin X Intelligentsia, Podcast - October 2020
Meaning of Latinx
Keynote McNair Banquet - April 2018
Silencing Imposture Syndrome in Pursuing Graduate Education
Keynote Oklahoma Sociological Association - November 2017
Violence of Environmental Racism and the Casualties of Brown and Black Bodies
Keynote Hispanic College Institute; Fort Hays State University - June 2017
Keynote McNair Research Symposium; Oklahoma State University - March 2016
Keynote Latina Youth Leadership; University of Nebraska, Kearney - February 2013
Putting Together the Pieces: Understanding our strengths & visualizing our
potential
Leadership Presentation; Pittsburg State University - April 2012
Finding Leadership and Employing Advocacy
Conference Presentations
NASPA National Conference, Boston, MA - April 2023
Mujeres in Leadership
NASPA National Conference, Boston, MA - April 2023
Beyond the NUmbers: The Process of Determining Institutional Servingness for 4 Emerging HSIs.
NASPA Undergraduate Student Conference, virtual - March 2022
Senior Student Affairs Officers Panel
NASPA National Conference, Baltimore, MD - March 2022
Sip & Chat Chronicles Pandemic Edition: Lessons for Building Healing & Inclusive
Communities
NASPA National Conference, virtual - March 2021
Womxn of Color Gathering Event
NASPA National Conference, virtual - March 2021
Moderator: SA Unscripted: Activist vs Advocate vs Administrator
OK-LSAMP Ph.D. Camp, virtual - March 2021
Why Go to Graduate School & Where to Apply
NSF Research Traineeship Annual Meeting. - January 2021
NRT鈥檚 as Change Agents: Design Interventions for Broadening Participation. Contributed talk. Kuras ER, S Mata
National Science Foundation-New PI Orientation - September 2020
The Role of the Program Coordinator
OK-LSAMP Ph.D. Camp, Weatherford, OK - March 2020
Why Go to Graduate School & Where to Apply
Association of SNAP Nutrition Education Administration-Arlington, VA - February 2020
Understanding Cultural Relevance: Implications for SNAP-Ed
NASPA Multicultural Institute-New Orleans, LA - December 2019
Advancing Equity w Intrusive Multi-Year Programming for Underrepresented Students
National Science Foundation Research Traineeship-Evanston, IL - September 2019
Cultural Barriers of Graduate Programs
Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior-Orlando, FL - July 2019
Public Policy Considerations: Rooted in Food and Culture
Minority Women鈥檚 Conference-Norman, OK - April 2019
Exploring Gender Identity thru Art Expression
NASPA National Conference-Los Angeles, CA - March 2019
Bridging Belonging & Student Success: Impact of Intentional Programming 10 Years Later
NASPA Region IV-W Conference-麻豆破解版, KS - October 2018
Supporting Our Future: Advocating for Graduate Students of Color
Society of Advancement of Chicano/Hispanic and Native Americans in Science-(SACNAS)
San Antonio, TX - October 2018
Promising Practices of NSF Research Traineeships: Promoting Interdisciplinary
Researchers and Transformative Approaches to Graduate Education
National Science Foundation NRT Annual Meeting-Arlington, VA - September 2018
Broadening Participation for Graduate STEM Education
Minority Women鈥檚 Conference-Norman, OK - April 2018
Promoting Graduate Education for Minority Women
NASPA National Conference-Philadelphia, PA - March 2018
What I Wish I Knew Moving Up the Ladder: Lessons From Rising Professionals
NASPA Multicultural Institute-New Orleans, LA - December 2017
Re-examining Access & Fostering Inclusive Excellence in Graduate Ed
NASPA Region IV-W Conference-Lincoln, NE - November 2017
Sowing Pathways for Latinx/a/o Students: Barriers, Resilience & Supportive Practices
NASPA National Conference-San Antonio - March 2017
Panelist -Intersections of Social Justice and Campus Safety Pre-Conference
NASPA National Conference-San Antonio - March 2017-
At a Crossroads: Examining the Implications of the Latino/a KC Gender Identity &
Expression Survey
Latinos Without Borders - March 2017
Empowering Leadership with Cultural Identity
NASPA Multicultural Institute-Miami, FL - December 2015
Creating a culture for identity infusing curriculum with identity development
for students in higher education
NASPA National Conference-New Orleans, LA - March 2015
Navigating with Courage: Latina Experiences in Pursuing the Doctorate
No Limits! -Omaha, NE - March 2015
Discourses of a Diagnosis: Narratives of Women in Academia
Latina Youth Leadership Conference-Kearney, NE - February 2015
Striving for Success
Women in Educational Leadership 鈥揕incoln, NE - October 2014
Discourses of a Diagnosis: Narratives of Women in Academia
Oklahoma Women in Higher Education 鈥揈dmond, OK - November 2013
Discourses of a Diagnosis: Narratives of Women in Academia
Oklahoma Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics -Oklahoma City, OK - April 2013
Addressing Health Disparities to Increase Health Equity
Oklahoma Educational Studies Assoc.-Stillwater, OK - March 2012
Documenting the Undocumented
NASPA Region IV-W Conference-Omaha, NE - November 2010
DREAMing of New Frontiers: The College Dreams of Undocumented Students
Oklahoma Women in Higher Education Conference-Edmond, OK - November 2009
Transforming Girls into Women of Higher Ed with STYLE
NASPA Region IV-W Conference-Santa Fe, NM - November 2009
DEVAS with STYLE
NASPA Region IV-W Regional Conference-Tulsa, OK - November 2008
Educating with STYLE
National Conference on Race & Ethnicity (NCORE)-Orlando, FL - May 2008
Cradle to the Grave
Oklahoma Educational Studies Assoc.- Norman, OK - May 2008
Tolerance Is Not Enough
Big XII Conference on Black Leadership Government-Stillwater, OK - February 2008
Reaction to Pro-action
NASPA-Multicultural Institute- Miami, FL - December 2007
Today鈥檚 Students, Tomorrow鈥檚 Leaders