Prior to joining NIJC, Sandra earned her master of social work from the University of Michigan School of Social Work. During her time there, she was a program coordinator for the undocumented student initiatives team at the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives and served at the Office of State Senator Stephanie Chang. She holds a bachelor of arts in psychology and Spanish with a minor in Latina/o Studies from the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Sandra was born in Mexico and was involved in the Student Community of Progressive Empowerment (SCOPE) to support and empower undocumented students on campus.