As the Graduate Financial Operations Manager, Sarah is responsible for financial management and oversight of University-wide graduate student organizations, including GAPSA, IDEAL Council members, and other GAPSA-funded groups.
Sarah works closely with student leaders and partners across campus to oversee the finances for student organizations financial transactions, manage ticketing and revenue processes, and monitor group funding awards and associated payouts. She also develops and implements financial training and outreach to graduate student leaders and communicates regularly with relevant stakeholders to ensure appropriate stewardship of University resources. She also works closely with student leaders and staff in the Grad Center, University Life, and group advisors to conduct ongoing budgetary oversight, monitor compliance, and resolve financial discrepancies as needed.
Born in Cuba, Sarah spent most of her adolescent years in Japan, where she also briefly worked as a television reported and radio DJ after high school. After moving to the U.S., Sarah earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and International Business from Penn State University and a Masters in Architecture (M.Arch.) at the University of Pennsylvania. She also completed a semester of study at the University of Alicante in Alicante, Spain; Architecture/Landscape Architecture Studio course at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, and a 2-month intensive Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowship in Tokyo, Japan.
Sarah brings to this role a range of impactful experiences in financial administration, international education, and graduate student affairs. She joins the Grad Center team after working for the last three years in University Life Space & Events (ULSE) as a financial coordinator, managing the full range of financial operations for the department. Prior to her role in ULSE, Sarah served for six years as a graduate records and degree coordinator in the Weitzman School of Design, where she supported all stages of the student experience, from admissions through studio and graduation. She has also worked in communications and program coordination for a US-international homestays program, as an interior stair designer, and as a program management specialist at the University of Maryland, College Park. Sarah is excited to be returning to a role that combines her skills in optimizing business processes with her passion for working with and supporting students.
Sarah is deeply creative and enjoys writing, drawing, making sculptures, dancing and cooking. She is currently (and will probably forever be) working on writing her first novel. Outside of work, she enjoys dancing, listening to audiobooks, and spending time with her husband, teenage daughter, and their wild and loud, but very affectionate, chihuahua.
