Sandoval is a lecturer in the Education Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara (“UCSB”). Her research interests include educational equity issues, home/school/community partnerships, and investment in culture and education. She is co-editor of a book, and author of several published essays and articles. She holds a Ph.D. in Education, a M.A. in Museum Studies, and a B.A. in Public Relations.

Sandoval’s career in nonprofit organizations spans 17 years. She serves clients on California’s central coast through her work for the Nonprofit Support Center. As Assistant Director for Community Services at Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (“NMAI”) from 1999 until 2002, she conceptualized, delivered, and evaluated outreach products and services targeting Native American communities in the Western Hemisphere. She led the development of strategies and relevant programming in fulfillment of NMAI’s mission of outreach and public service, with a particular emphasis on professional development and Latin American constituency relations.

Sandoval served as Training Coordinator at Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (1998 – 1999) where she managed training and professional development programs in museum practice. As Special Assistant to the Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (1995 – 1998) she was the Director’s liaison with the Board of Trustees. She has held positions in external affairs at the J. Paul Getty Museum of Art (1991 – 1993), and the Smithsonian Institution (1993 – 1995). Sandoval served as a teaching assistant for Ventura Indian Education’s Summer Science Camp at the Santa Ynez Indian Reservation (1990 – 1991) in California.

She serves on the Board of Directors for the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and the California Indian Museum and Cultural Center. From the Chumash community located on the Santa Ynez Indian Reservation in California, Sandoval has worked to build understanding of indigenous cultures and communities through her research, teaching, and writing.
Sandoval’s love of learning extends to traditional Chumash basketry, Latin dance, and Shotokan karate. She and her husband, John Gustafsson, live in Lompoc, California with their gorgeous dogs - Roy and Stella.