Sara Sanders

Director and Collaborative Co-founder of STEAM Studio

Contact Information

  • sjsander@unca.edu
  • 450-9870

Sara Sanders is an engineer, welder/fabricator, and community collaborator. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Joint UNC Asheville/NC State Mechatronics Engineering program and a Master of Engineering degree with a concentration in Engineering Management from NC State. Sanders spent four years at Eaton Corporation as a product applications engineer before returning to work at UNCA as the Engineering Design Studio and Lab manager. During her time in the Engineering department, she received her professional engineering licensure, worked toward her Master’s degree, and designed and developed STEAM Studio with a collaborative team from the Engineering and Art departments. In 2018, Sanders transitioned to the role of Director of STEAM Studio, where she oversees daily operations and projects and co-founded the community outreach program Skillset. Under Sara’s leadership, students, faculty and staff at STEAM Studio designed and fabricated Mel Chin’s Wake, the largest sculpture ever installed in Times Square.

Visit Sanders' website at sarasandersdesigns.com.