Sarah Kutten, Ed.D. is an adult education scholar-practitioner with over a decade of experience developing innovative programs and resources for diverse learners. Dr. Kutten completed her undergraduate degree in anthropology from Willamette University. Her graduate studies focused on post-secondary, adult, and continuing education at Portland State University, where she earned a master’s degree in Education, Leadership, and Policy, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership.
As a scholar-practitioner, Dr. Kutten leverages Critical Race Theory to explore the psycho-social influences of racism in the adult identity formation of Black college students. Her research asserts that situating student development theory within the social contexts of race, privilege, and power provides educators with a holistic understanding of how these forces shape the experiences of students of color and their success. Her doctoral research resulted in the development of racialized adult identity formation model called Black Critical Conscientization.
Dr. Kutten currently serves as the Assistant Vice Provost of Students and Belonging at the University of Oregon in Portland. Professionally, she has a proven record of identifying opportunities to facilitate structural and policy change at all levels of an organization and then acts on them by mobilizing personnel and resources, using theory and data, and leading the implementation of pragmatic solutions. Striving toward equity and inclusion has been a foundation throughout her career. Her track record for success has inspired others to hire and/or appoint her to roles that involve leading organizational structure change toward anti-racism, consulting, and public speaking in public, government, private, and not-for-profit organizations.
