Sara Carroll is an energetic higher education professional, music educator and musician whose career spans k12 and collegiate work. Carroll serves as the Director of Admissions and Student Success for the University of Tennessee Natalie L. Haslam College of Music. Carroll is passionate about music education and loves working with our amazing Volunteer students. She directs recruitment and admissions, teaches the Introduction to Music Studies classes for first year music majors, oversees student success initiatives, and directs the Music Ambassador Program and Tour Program.

Prior to her move to Tennessee, Carroll lived and worked in Washington State. After graduating from college, she served as the Advising & Recruiting Specialist for her undergraduate alma mater’s Department of Music. In this role, she oversaw the recruitment for the program, advised the music majors, and assisted with the department’s special events. After serving in this position, she worked as a high school choir teacher in Eastern Washington. In this role, Sara directed the choirs, taught class piano, directed the jazz choir, and served as musical director for the school musicals. She also hosted regional festivals, served as a regional solo and ensemble judge, taught voice lessons, and coached her students through regional and state competitions.

Carroll holds a Doctor of Music Education from Liberty University and a Master of Science in Public Administration and Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Central Washington University. She earned membership in several honor societies throughout her collegiate pursuits including Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, and Omega Nu Lambda and served as an officer in several collegiate organization chapters including the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), and the National Association for Teachers of Singing (NATS), maintaining her involvement in many organizations post-college. This past year, Carroll completed her doctorate as a graduate with high distinction. She has been an active musician throughout her professional life, singing in symphony choirs, chamber ensembles, opera choruses, vocal jazz ensembles, and in church music ministry. Carroll is an active member of the Knoxville Choral Society, singing in both the large choral ensemble and the select chamber chorale.

When not working, Carroll enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, exploring coffee shops, hitting the gym, attending shows and concerts, listening to her favorite podcasts, and making music. She also enjoys cheering on the Volunteers!