Dr. Sarah Ozuna Brown honored with 2024–2025 Dissertation of the Year Award for Research in Childcare Access

The Baylor University School of Education Online Learning is proud to announce that Sarah Ozuna Brown, EdD is the recipient of the 2024–2025 Problem of Practice Dissertation of the Year award for the EdD in Learning and Organizational Change (EdD-LOC) program. Her dissertation, “Understanding Choice: A Qualitative Multiple-Case-Study Exploring Texas Families’ Experiences Accessing High-Quality Childcare and Early Childhood Education,” addresses a critical and timely issue impacting families across the state and nation. 

Dr. Brown, an Associate Professor of Practice and Master Teacher at the University of Texas at Austin, graduated from Baylor’s EdD in Learning and Organizational Change program in 2024. In the EdD-LOC program, students write a Problem of Practice dissertation—the goal of which is to create a foundation of change within their industry and current profession. For Dr. Brown, that meant exploring Texas families’ experience accessing high-quality early childhood education. Her research informs her undergraduate teaching and work in the community.  

Dr. Brown’s qualitative multiple-case study focused on the real-world experiences of families in Williamson, Hays, and Travis counties in central Texas. Through semi-structured interviews, photo-elicitation, and mind-mapping activities, Dr. Brown was able to capture the complex decision-making process of families seeking various types of care. The study’s key findings revealed that parents’ own childhoods are related to their choices, the search for care is often prolonged from availability challenges and complex, and that families made sacrifices and relied heavily on input from a variety of community networks to find high-quality care options.  

Melanie Meyer, PhD, Faculty Advisor and chair of Dr. Brown’s dissertation committee, praised the work’s relevance and impact. “Dr. Brown’s study addresses a pressing societal challenge: the systemic barriers that limit families’ access to high-quality childcare and early childhood education (CECE),” Dr. Meyer stated. “With over 18.6 million children in the United States relying on non-parental childcare, this research is highly relevant. Her work sheds light on the affordability crisis, childcare deserts, and the policy constraints that affect millions of families, particularly in Texas. Her study provides critical insights that can inform policy reforms and programmatic improvements to increase access to CECE for all families.” 

"Dr. Brown's study addresses a pressing societal challenge: the systemic barriers that limit families' access to high-quality childcare and early childhood education. Her work sheds light on an affordability crisis, childcare deserts, and the policy constraints that affect millions of families." - Dr. Melanie Meyer, PhD, Baylor University

Dr. Meyer also highlighted the study’s innovative approach. “What sets Dr. Brown’s dissertation apart is its originality in conceptualizing the problem through Elder’s (1994, 1998) life course theory,” she continued. “This theoretical framework enabled her to examine how generational context, life events, social networks, and personal choices shape families’ decision-making processes in selecting CECE. By employing this perspective, she explored the nuanced ways systematic constraints intersect with individual agency, offering a fresh contribution to the literature on early childhood education access.” 

The findings from Dr. Brown’s dissertation already inform her work preparing future educators at UT Austin. She actively uses her research to advocate for equitable access for families, and support childcare providers across diverse settings through mentorship, training, and systematic change initiatives. 

The Baylor School of Education Online Learning Unit congratulates Dr. Sarah Ozuna Brown on this astounding achievement. Her work exemplifies the mission of the EdD-LOC program to develop scholar-practitioners who create meaningful and positive change in their organization and communities. 

Dr. Brown’s dissertation was completed under the guidance of her committee: Dr. Melanie Meyer (Chair), Dr. Shelby Vaughn, and Dr. Regan Postma-Montaño. 

To learn more about the Program of Practice Dissertation of the Year Award and view the full list of 2024-2025 nominees, visit the official award page.

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