Sara Maria Saastamoinen

Sociology

Sara Maaria Saastamoinen is a PhD student in the Department of Political Science in the College of Social Sciences. She is also an exhibiting artist, abundant futures consultant and community organizer. Coming from a long line of Karelian teachers, she credits her family with inspiring her early passion for political inquiry and creative expression. Her courses explore topics such as the everyday politics of water and the societal sacrifices that sustain American political systems. Students nominated her for fostering creativity and inclusivity, encouraging expression through formats such as sculptures, short stories, mixtapes and monologues. “Sara’s commitment to deeper understanding challenged us to think critically about our choices and their broader implications for humans, the environment and other living beings,” one student wrote. Another shared, “I have never learned as much as I did in Sara’s class—it will positively affect the way I view things and the kind of person I am for the rest of my life.”