May 8, 2025

Dr. Sarah Mire, LP, NCSP, LSSP, associate professor in the Department of Educational Psychology and faculty affiliate with the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities, both in the School of Education, received the Baylor Outstanding Faculty Award for Scholarship for Tenured Faculty. Mire’s transformative research bridges families, school personnel, and medical providers to improve outcomes for children with autism.

Mire’s research directly addresses the challenges and complexities of autism, which frequently co-occurs with behavioral health conditions and school-based difficulties that necessitate coordinating support across multiple systems. Her dual credentials as a Licensed Psychologist (LP) and Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) provide her with insight into the nuanced needs of children and families.

“Dr. Mire exemplifies excellence as an applied researcher whose interdisciplinary work advances knowledge and has a transformative impact on children and adolescents with autism and their families,” said Dr. Shanna Hagan-Burke, dean of the School of Education. “Her commitment to preparing the next generation of scientist-practitioners is equally impressive, preparing our graduate students to become leaders in the field of school psychology.”

Mire is a three-time awardee of the competitive National Institutes of Health (NIH) Extramural Loan Repayment Program as a clinical researcher. In the past two fiscal years, she has been principal investigator (PI) or co-PI on 13 research proposals. She averages 6.6 scholarly publications per year, which is 237 percent above the national average for school psychology faculty. Nationally, she ranks in the top 9 percent of faculty in her discipline for publication volume. In total, she has authored 64 peer-reviewed scholarly articles and 10 invited book chapters. By the end of 2025, she will have given 142 national and international conference presentations and 32 invited field-based presentations to practitioners and stakeholders.

Dr. Bree Jimenez, professor and chair of the Department of Educational Psychology, said, “Through transformative research, leadership in innovative collaborations, and commitment to advancing inclusive practices, Dr. Mire is redefining the landscape of autism research and support, setting a new standard for both scholarly excellence and community impact.”

Mire also demonstrates exceptional research leadership and collaboration. She developed and directs the highly productive *sparc (School Psychology Autism Research Collaboration) research lab, and she codeveloped/co-directs the cross-institutional ASD4ASD (Academic Skills Development for Autism Spectrum Disorder) lab in collaboration with her long-time research colleague at the University of Houston. She has formed interdisciplinary partnerships across institutions and disciplines, and her innovative partnerships include the recent development of a novel training program for family medicine residents in collaboration with Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities.

Dr. Robin Goin-Kochel, director of research of the Autism Program at Baylor College of Medicine, said Mire is her favorite collaborator because of her genial work style. “I have collaborated with Dr. Mire for 13 years on various projects, with our current joint efforts on facilitating early-intervention and school-services access via primary care,” Goin-Kochel said. “I appreciate the expertise she brings to our work together, as well as her thoughtful and rigorous approach to designing projects with real-world applications.”

Dr. Erik Carter, professor and executive director of the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities, said Mire’s work “stands out in its methodological quality, interdisciplinary contributions, collaborative approaches, and attentiveness to the needs of the communities she cares so deeply about.” He added, “She approaches this work with an enthusiasm, tenacity, integrity, and faithfulness that draws so many of us to want to work closely alongside her.”

Mire’s research directly affects Baylor graduate students, with nearly 30 students involved in research teams. The results of her efforts have been transformative for the School Psychology program at Baylor, with the percentage of doctoral students engaged in mentored research teams skyrocketing from 0 to 90 percent since Mire’s arrival on campus. She meets weekly with each team to guide students through the research process — from conceptualization to data collection to dissemination. She provides both group and individualized mentorship to help students cultivate their own unique research interests.

Course evaluations of Mire’s teaching are equally outstanding. “Dr. Mire is adept at letting a discussion go in ways that may not have been expected but are obviously pertinent and meaningful, and still not losing track of time or the agenda,” wrote one student. Another said, “She is kind and welcoming, and she genuinely cares about all of her students. I learned so much in her class!”

Mire’s service extends into the local community, where she volunteers with local high school students through schools and Young Life and leads a Bible study class for adults with special needs.

“She views her research as an expression of Christian stewardship, inspiring her systematic and compassionate application of human science to strengthen and encourage those she serves, Dean Hagan-Burke said. “Dr. Mire embodies the ideals of a Tier 1 researcher at Baylor University, demonstrating unparalleled dedication to both scholarly excellence and meaningful impact.”

Mire is one of three School of Education faculty members to receive an outstanding faculty designation from the University for 2025. Dr. Sandi Cooper, associate dean for undergraduate education and professor of mathematics education in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, received the Baylor Outstanding Faculty Award for Significant Contributions to the Academic Community. Dr. Tony Talbert, professor in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, was recognized with an Outstanding Teaching Award for tenured faculty.

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For more than 100 years, the School of Education has advanced Baylor’s mission across the globe while preparing students for a range of careers focused on education, leadership, and human development. With more than 65 full-time faculty members, the school’s growing research portfolio complements its long-standing commitment to excellence in teaching and student mentoring. Baylor’s undergraduate program in teacher education has earned national distinction for innovative partnerships with local schools that provide future teachers deep clinical preparation. Likewise, the School of Education’s graduate programs have attained national recognition for their exemplary preparation of research scholars, educational leaders, innovators, and clinicians. Visit the School of Education website to learn more.

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