Dr. Rodriguez’s research addresses issues of equity, access, and retention for Latina/o students in the higher education pipeline. As a researcher looking at these issues from a human sciences perspective, she focuses on the intersections of race/ethnicity and gender for STEM students and the role that community colleges play in creating equitable outcomes. Her research seeks to improve our understanding of STEM identity development and inform how national policy and institutional efforts can be enhanced to create equitable outcomes for Latina/o students within the STEM disciplines.

Dr. Rodriguez has worked with the project Engaging Latino Students for Transfer and College Completion a national initiative at the Center for Community College Student Engagement, focused on helping institutions strengthen Latina/o student engagement, transfer, and college completion. Sarah has also served as a New Mathways Project Mentorship Program Coach for the Charles A. Dana Center, supporting college implementation of the four principles of the NMP Model, including multiple mathematics pathways, acceleration to complete college level math courses quickly, and intentional use of strategies.