Sarah Deal

Sarah Deal is the Director of Research at the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research, affiliated with North Carolina State University's Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development. She leads research initiatives focused on enhancing North Carolina community colleges' capacity to support students, faculty, and staff. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications, emphasizing partnerships with statewide and national organizations.

• Education: Ph.D. in Education Leadership (NC State, 2020), MA in Higher Education (Ohio State, 2009), BA in Communication (SUNY Buffalo, 2007)

Her research interests center on community college leadership, educational equity, student success strategies, and data-informed decision-making. Recent projects address spatial inequality in transfer pathways, food insecurity interventions, and innovative teaching practices. She has contributed to toolkits and policy guides for community colleges, emphasizing actionable research insights.

Her career spans roles at UNC-Chapel Hill, Central Carolina Community College, and DVP-PRAXIS LTD. She currently oversees the Belk Center’s research portfolio, including the PACE Climate Survey and initiatives like 'Be Great in 8.'