We are proud to announce that Maria Sarmiento, a distinguished McNair Scholar and honors student at Eastern Washington University, has been accepted into the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program at the University of Oregon.
Maria will graduate from EWU in Spring 2026 with a major in Political Science. Her academic journey began at Big Bend Community College, where she graduated with the highest honors and an Associate of Arts and Sciences in 2023. As Vice President of Leadership for Phi Theta Kappa, Maria championed service and academic growth in her community.
At EWU, Maria is part of the Honors Program and serves as secretary for the Asian Student Association, helping foster connections among Asian student communities. Her research interests center on policies affecting children’s socio-emotional development. During her 2025 McNair Summer Research Internship under Dr. Thomas Hawley, Maria investigated the ideological roots of stigma facing adopted and biological children, aiming to trace the philosophical origins of prejudice and propose solutions for more equitable education policies, her project is titled “The Ideological Root of Stigma for Children in Care.”
Maria’s experience with Head Start and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program further fuels her commitment to supporting children’s development. She aspires to earn a master’s degree in education and a Ph.D. in Political Theory, with the ultimate goal of shaping future generations as a college professor.
Congratulations, Maria, on this remarkable achievement and your unwavering dedication to educational equity and leadership!
For more visit: https://inside.ewu.edu/mcnair/maria-sarmiento/
