Sarang Kim

Sarang Kim, Ph.D. is a Higher Education and Student Affairs Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. She completed her Ph.D. in Education Studies with Higher Education Concentration from the University of California, San Diego.

As a scholar-practitioner, Sarang’s research uses qualitative methods grounded in critical theories, anti-racist frameworks, and asset-based paradigms to identify and dismantle oppressive systems and structural barriers that contribute to racial and intersectional inequity, while fostering inclusive practices, policies, and cultures in higher education where underserved populations are empowered and can thrive.

Along this line, her research focuses on two key areas. The first examines how college campuses can foster civic engagement, social justice leadership, and critical consciousness among students through the intersection of student development theory and campus organization and culture frameworks. The second explores the transnational dimensions of race and racism within the internationalizing landscape of higher education, investigating how global dynamics and inequities shape racial identities and experiences across different communities. Her dissertation integrates these two areas by examining how 19 international students of color in U.S. higher education develop critical agency to advocate for racial and social justice in the U.S., their home countries, and globally.

As a transnational scholar, Sarang’s work is also informed by interdisciplinary approaches, including historical and cultural studies and critical globalization studies. For instance, she applies global perspectives on race and racism, including the transnational application of Critical Race Theory in the South Korean context and cross-national comparisons to analyze how systemic racism and oppression manifest in educational systems across diverse social contexts.