She received a B.A. in Sociology from Emory University and an M.A. in Sociology from Georgia Southern University. She received her Ph.D. in Sociology, with a concentration in Criminology, from the University of Georgia in 2011 and began her career at UWF shortly after. Her research interests include juvenile delinquency, the effect of parental socialization on behavior problems in children, and the effects of fear of crime in neighborhoods and public spaces. She is also interested in research and implementation of pedagogical techniques such as the use of high-impact practices to improve student outcomes. Sara is the mother of two boys, Harrison and Thomas, who keep her happy and busy when she’s not working.