Dr. Sarah Rendón García joined the HDFS faculty as an Assistant Professor in August 2023 and began teaching in HDFS in fall 2024. Born in Venezuela to Colombian parents, migration has been an integral part of her story from the very beginning. Her childhood unfolded across three countries, each contributing to her multicultural lens. At age 9, she and her family settled in Norwalk, Connecticut—a place she now calls home.
Growing up as an undocumented young person profoundly shaped Sarah’s perspective. It fueled her unwavering commitment to working with immigrant communities. Her journey led her to delve into developmental psychology through diverse avenues: children’s television media, youth development, youth organizing, and early childhood intervention. Before pursuing her Ph.D. at Harvard University, Sarah worked with Child First—an evidence-based program focused on buffering toxic stress through positive caregiver-child relationships. Her educational journey includes an Ed.M. in Prevention Science and Practice from HGSE and a BA in Psychology and French from the College of the Holy Cross.
Sarah’s research focuses on mixed-status immigrant families originating from Latin America. She explores how both children and adults grapple with the implications of being undocumented in the United States. Caregivers and kids alike contribute to her empirical insights—whether independently, within caregiver-child dyads, or as a family unit. Generously funded by the NSF, Ford Foundation, and NAEd/Spencer Foundation Fellowships, her work sheds light on these complex, often overlooked experiences. Her approach is interdisciplinary, practical, and community-centered. She seeks to amplify voices, consider geographical contexts, and navigate sociopolitical ecologies—all while advancing our understanding of these individuals’ lives.
After the academic cap comes off, Sarah spends her days balancing family life, taking care of her two little ones and a sizable Bernedoodle with her husband. In her elusive free time, Sarah enjoys watercolor painting, tackling DIY projects, and watching TV series that make her shriek and laugh.