Dr. Sara Gamez is an immigrant from Guatemala and a first-generation college graduate who has dedicated over 20 years to helping first-generation, low-income, and foster youth access higher education. Through her work, she empowers these students to graduate.

Dr. Gamez has held various roles in education, including high school and educational counselor, program coordinator, and director of foster youth support programs. Her primary research interests focus on the experiences of foster youth in college, and she has published works relevant to this population.

She has served as chair of the Southern California Higher Education Foster Youth Consortium (SCHEFYC) and co-chair of a NASPA knowledge community. Additionally, she co-founded Foster Scholars and serves on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Fund of San Bernardino County.

Dr. Gamez has received several awards, including the 2017 College Hero title and the Outstanding Professional Award from NASPA in 2021. In January 2023, she received a certificate of achievement for promoting equity and inclusivity on campus.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, a Master of Science in Educational Counseling from the University of La Verne, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from California State University, Long Beach.