Sara A. Vega

Sara A. Vega serves as a Lecturer II in Elementary Special Education within the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Nevada, Reno. Concurrently, she is a doctoral candidate in Special Education and Disability Studies at the same institution, demonstrating a strong commitment to both teaching and advanced scholarship in her field.

Her research centers on emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD) among students, with a particular emphasis on developing effective family engagement strategies and support systems. Vega investigates critical issues including stigma, family dynamics, and evidence-based educational interventions tailored for students with E/BD, aiming to enhance their academic and social outcomes.

Dr. Vega's scholarly contributions have been recognized through several distinguished awards:

• Teacher Educators for Children with Behavioral Disorders: Dr. C. Michael Nelson Professional Development Support Grant
• Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Kaleidoscope Award: 1st place in Qualitative Research (2023)
• Outstanding Doctoral Student Award from the University of Nevada, Reno

With 12 years of hands-on experience as a special education teacher at the elementary and middle school levels, Vega has served as a department lead and mentor for early-career educators. She has designed and led professional development initiatives to strengthen instructional practices in special education settings.