About Dr. Sarah Nuñez
Dr. Sarah Nuñez is a Latinx/e, Queer, and feminist educator, coach, facilitator, and cultural organizer with a passion for bringing traditional healing practices to groups, people, and organizations seeking transformative and liberatory change. Her proven ability to lead organizations through change, create systems, build capacity, resource mobilize, manage internal and external relationships, and empower others to build collective and individual power is at the core of her professional identity.
With a Ph.D. in education, over 20 years as a community organizer, and experience as a professor, nonprofit executive, and personal coach, Dr. Sarah Nuñez brings experience and commitment to her clients and supporters. Currently based in the vibrant mountain community of Asheville, NC, Sarah is deeply involved in building positive people power and healing modalities in schools, nonprofits, and businesses across the country.
Through storytelling, art, herbs, and movement building, Sarah weaves a holistic approach into her work, creating a positive impact on communities. Her ultimate goal is to bring traditional healing practices (cultural wellness) and modalities to effect positive change for organizations and individuals’ lives. Sarah’s dedication to nurturing networks, fostering relationships, and uplifting communities is evident in every aspect of her professional journey.
Roots & Research
Born in Bogotá, Colombia, and raised in North Carolina, Sarah's roots deeply influence her work. Her research methods utilize testimonios and oral histories, art, and poetry to uncover healing practices, wisdom, and knowledge, particularly focusing on Latinx students in el Nuevo Sur. Sarah’s research interests extend to traditional healing practices and how educational settings can support the identity development, cultural wealth, and healing of diverse students, staff, and faculty in higher education.
Values
Justice: Many people find themselves in situations they can’t control because of repressive structures and policies. These complex social problems can’t be solved by one person alone. I value working with people, organizations, and businesses that are fighting for more fairness in the world — whether that’s racial, social, economic, or environmental.
Equity: Acting in an equitable way means not only bringing diverse people to the table, but also ensuring that everyone at that table is heard and respected, able to fully participate in discussions and solutions. This equivalence of power is the only way we can truly strive for justice.
Creativity: In order to think in new ways and discover new solutions, it’s essential to break out of routines and “it’s always been done this way” structures. I challenge the status quo and use interactive and stimulating techniques to encourage my clients to tap into their own creative forces.
Awards
Publications
Nuñez, Sarah, "Uncovering testimonios of traditional healing practices among Latinx college students in El Nuevo Sur." (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 4096. https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/4096
Archuleta, Adrian J., et al. “Support Networks among College Enrolled Latinas/Os: Using Ego Networks to Examine Gender Differences in Network Language Use and Experiences of Discrimination.” International Journal of Intercultural Relations, vol. 80, 2021, pp. 147–157., doi:10.1016/j.ijintrel.2020.10.010
Archuleta, A. J., & Nuñez, S. C. (2023). It’s mostly relative: social capital characteristics in negative social exchange and support networks among college-enrolled Latino/a young adults. SN Social Sciences, 3(3), 52.
Dr. Sarah Nuñez is a Latinx/e, Queer, and feminist educator, coach, facilitator, and cultural organizer with a passion for bringing traditional healing practices to groups, people, and organizations seeking transformative and liberatory change. Her proven ability to lead organizations through change, create systems, build capacity, resource mobilize, manage internal and external relationships, and empower others to build collective and individual power is at the core of her professional identity.
With a Ph.D. in education, over 20 years as a community organizer, and experience as a professor, nonprofit executive, and personal coach, Dr. Sarah Nuñez brings experience and commitment to her clients and supporters. Currently based in the vibrant mountain community of Asheville, NC, Sarah is deeply involved in building positive people power and healing modalities in schools, nonprofits, and businesses across the country.
Through storytelling, art, herbs, and movement building, Sarah weaves a holistic approach into her work, creating a positive impact on communities. Her ultimate goal is to bring traditional healing practices (cultural wellness) and modalities to effect positive change for organizations and individuals’ lives. Sarah’s dedication to nurturing networks, fostering relationships, and uplifting communities is evident in every aspect of her professional journey.
Roots & Research
Born in Bogotá, Colombia, and raised in North Carolina, Sarah's roots deeply influence her work. Her research methods utilize testimonios and oral histories, art, and poetry to uncover healing practices, wisdom, and knowledge, particularly focusing on Latinx students in el Nuevo Sur. Sarah’s research interests extend to traditional healing practices and how educational settings can support the identity development, cultural wealth, and healing of diverse students, staff, and faculty in higher education.
Values
Justice: Many people find themselves in situations they can’t control because of repressive structures and policies. These complex social problems can’t be solved by one person alone. I value working with people, organizations, and businesses that are fighting for more fairness in the world — whether that’s racial, social, economic, or environmental.
Equity: Acting in an equitable way means not only bringing diverse people to the table, but also ensuring that everyone at that table is heard and respected, able to fully participate in discussions and solutions. This equivalence of power is the only way we can truly strive for justice.
Creativity: In order to think in new ways and discover new solutions, it’s essential to break out of routines and “it’s always been done this way” structures. I challenge the status quo and use interactive and stimulating techniques to encourage my clients to tap into their own creative forces.
Awards
- University of Louisville - College Student Personnel Program Excellence in Scholarship Award (2023)
- Jefferson County Public Schools- Educators of Color, Unapologetic Higher Education Award (2019)
- Community Foundation of Louisville - Force for Good Billboard Campaign (2018)
- Prospanica of Louisville- Partnership Support Award (2017)
- National Society of Hispanic MBA’s - Partnership Support Award (2015)
- Minority Enterprise Development Committee - CHIVA, LLC. Emerging Business of the Year (2014)
- University of North Carolina Asheville - Order of Pisgah Alumni Award (2012)
- Patriot Award- Bill of Rights Defense Committee (2012)
- YWCA Tribute to Women of Influence Award (2011)
Publications
Nuñez, Sarah, "Uncovering testimonios of traditional healing practices among Latinx college students in El Nuevo Sur." (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 4096. https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/4096
Archuleta, Adrian J., et al. “Support Networks among College Enrolled Latinas/Os: Using Ego Networks to Examine Gender Differences in Network Language Use and Experiences of Discrimination.” International Journal of Intercultural Relations, vol. 80, 2021, pp. 147–157., doi:10.1016/j.ijintrel.2020.10.010
Archuleta, A. J., & Nuñez, S. C. (2023). It’s mostly relative: social capital characteristics in negative social exchange and support networks among college-enrolled Latino/a young adults. SN Social Sciences, 3(3), 52.