Sarah D. Asebedo

Sarah D. Asebedo, Ph.D., CFP® is an Associate Professor and School Director of the School of Financial Planning at Texas Tech University. She bridges academic research and professional practice through evidence-based methods to advance financial planning and enhance client-advisor relationships.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Personal Financial Planning from Kansas State University

Dr. Asebedo's research integrates psychological frameworks with financial decision-making. Core focus areas include:

• Application of positive psychology interventions in financial contexts
• Financial self-efficacy across life stages
• Psychosocial determinants of financial behavior
• Client-advisor interaction dynamics

She employs advanced quantitative methodologies including structural equation modeling and mediation analysis to investigate these phenomena.

Her publication trajectory (2014-2022) reveals consistent exploration of psychological mechanisms in financial processes, with increasing emphasis on crisis response (e.g., COVID-19 economic impacts) and theoretical integration. Work appears in leading journals including Journal of Financial Planning and Journal of Positive Psychology, demonstrating interdisciplinary reach across finance, psychology, and gerontology.

Research recognition includes:

• Three FPA/JFP Best Research Awards (2014, 2017, 2018)
• Montgomery-Warschauer Award (2016)
• AARP Public Policy Institute Award (2017)
• Investment News Top 40 Under 40 (2017)
• Hermann Outstanding Dissertation Award (2017)

As School Director, Dr. Asebedo mentors emerging financial planners and shapes curriculum development. Her leadership extends to professional organizations including the Financial Therapy Association where she served as past-president. Current research initiatives focus on translating psychological insights into practical financial planning frameworks.