Sandra B. Castro

Dr. Sandra B. Castro is the Senior Associate Dean at the College of Professional and Continuing Studies, Adelphi University, where she oversees academic initiatives and student engagement. She teaches interdisciplinary courses in sociology and immigration studies, with a focus on Latinx communities. Her leadership includes roles in diversity initiatives and student advising, recognized by multiple institutional awards.

Education:

• PhD in Social Welfare, CUNY Graduate Center
• MS in Rural Development, Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana-Unidad Xochimilco (UAM-X)
• MA in Sustainable Development, School for International Training (SIT)
• BA in Sociology and Black and Puerto Rican Studies, Hunter College, City University of New York

Research Focus: Dr. Castro employs critical feminist frameworks to analyze immigration, family separation, and gender dynamics. Her work spans Central American mothers, undocumented women, domestic workers, trauma resilience, unaccompanied minors, and transnational families. This interdisciplinary approach bridges sociology, social welfare, and Latinx studies.

Awards:

• Faculty Adviser of the Year (2017, 2023)
• AAUW Dissertation Fellowship (2020)
• Teaching Excellence Award for Part-time Faculty (2019)

Student Advising: She mentors graduate and undergraduate researchers, including PhD candidates in social work and honors theses on educational interventions and developmental psychology.

International Work: From 1999–2010, she led community development projects in Mexico, focusing on women's economic empowerment and migration issues through roles at Enlace, Comunicación y Capacitación.