Dr. Sabrina Klein
I'm a scholar, an educator, and a storyteller. My research and professional career are fueled by my experiences as a rural, first-generation student in southwestern Oregon. I have over a decade of experience in education, and I'm a proud TRiO, GEAR UP, and AmeriCorps alumna.
About Me
Who I am and where I come from have profoundly shaped my personal and professional journey. In 2022, I completed my Ph.D. in Higher Education & Organizational Change at the School of Education and Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. My research centers rurality and college access, particularly on rural students, rural communities, rural-serving higher education institutions, and the role of regional labor markets.
Growing up in rural Southern Oregon, I was the first in my family to pursue a college degree. I began my educational journey at Rogue Community College and later transferred to Southern Oregon University, where I completed my degree in Communication Studies in 2013. Upon graduation, I completed a year of national service with AmeriCorps as a State and National Member.
My experiences as a student in a college access program helped me to discover my passion for expanding access for underrepresented populations in higher education. In my twelve years of working in education, I have worked with students at every academic level, from pre-K to college. I hold longstanding knowledge and experience with college access programs, such as TRiO, GEAR UP, and workforce development programs. For over a decade, I have been invited to share my personal experiences and professional knowledge to advocate on behalf of students, communities, and college access programs.
Recent Publications
Klein, S., & Koricich, A. (2022). Rural colleges & universities: The overlooked champions of higher education. In Diversity of Opportunity and Privileged Access: Institutional Types Across American Higher Education. Information Age Publishing. Manuscript submitted for publication.
Atwell, A., Klein, S., Ecton, W., D’Amico, M. M., & Sublett, C. (2022). Navigating change as community colleges align career and technical education programs with local labor markets. New Directions for Community Colleges, 197.
Atwell, A., Ecton, W., Klein, S., D’Amico, M. M., & Sublett, C. (2022). Community college responses to align career and technical education programs with changing labor markets. New Directions for Community Colleges, 2022(197), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.1002/cc.20496
Education
2022
Doctor of philosophy in higher education and organizational change
University of California, Los Angeles
School of Education & Information Studies
2017
MASTER of arts in Higher education and organizational change
University of California, Los Angeles
School of Education & Information Studies
2013
Bachelor of arts in Communication studies
Southern Oregon University
Cum Laude
2013
Oregon transfer module
Rogue Community College
Relevant Experience
2022
2021-2022
GRADUATE TEACHING FELLOW
UCLA University Studies
As a Graduate Teaching Fellow, I was responsible for instructing of curriculum that imparts UCLA students with critical strategies to achieve undergraduate excellence at a top-tier research institution. The curriculum teaches the research university’s mission, rigors, and expectations of students, as well as its pedagogical implications. It cultivates a formal space on campus where UCLA students learn the following: to engage collaboratively with their diverse community of scholars; to comprehend and apply effective learning strategies and theoretical foundations of college student development; to navigate the complex structure of the University; to practice resilience and growth mindset; to think critically about diversity and their identity, and to be fully aware of their value to the intellectual fabric of the institution as contributors to innovative research and scholarship.
Graduate research assistant
Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges
As a Graduate Research Assistant, I performed research duties on the Rural Serving Institutions project, such as supporting the testing of the map tool developed for this project, collaboratively authoring a research/policy brief that utilizes the rural-serving institution list created by this project, assisted with proofreading and copyediting of other publications that will be included in the public release, and created a brief overview video about how the RSI definition, list, and tools can be used to support qualitative research.
What I Do
SKILLS
- Analysis & Problem-Solving
- Interpersonal & Leadership Skills
- Project Management & Organization
- Program Design & Implementation
- Research & Information Management
- Written & Oral Communication
- Strategic Planning
- Community Development
SERVICES
- Consulting
- Professional Development & Training
- Keynote Presentations
- Grant Writing
- Partnership Development
- Research
I've worked with
I've partnered with
- Oregon GEAR UP
- Oregon College Access Network
- Rogue Community College
- California State University, Monterey Bay
- California State University, Northridge
- UCLA McNair Scholars
- Project Youth+
- Illinois Valley High School
