Profile
Sarah Evans is the Associate Director of the EXCEL/COMPASS program within UCF’s Center for Initiatives in STEM (iSTEM). In this role, she designs and manages programs that enhance STEM education and provide research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
After earning her BA in Physics from Rollins College, Sarah taught Advanced Placement Physics for 10 years in Seminole County, where she helped establish and grow the physics department at Hagerty High School. Driven by her passion for learning and research, she earned a Master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of South Florida in 2013.
Sarah has published research in musical acoustics and optics and has mentored both high school and undergraduate students in scientific research. She also manages the Undergraduate Research Experience (URE) for EXCEL, ensuring students have access to research opportunities early in their academic careers. Committed to student success, Sarah works to support academic growth and well-being while preparing students for STEM careers beyond UCF.
Publications
Thomas R. Moore, Ashley E. Cannaday, and Sarah A. Zietlow, “A simple and inexpensive optical technique to help students visualize mode shapes,” J. Opt. Soc. Am 131, 2480-2487 (2012).
Thomas R. Moore, Ashley E. Cannaday, and Sarah A. Zietlow, “Imaging of vibrating objects using speckle subtraction,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 27, 1863-1867 (2010).
R. Perrin, G.M. Swallowe, Sarah A. Zietlow, and Thomas R. Moore, “The normal modes of cymbals,” Proceedings of the Institute of Acoustics 30, 460-467 (2008).
Thomas R. Moore and Sarah A. Zietlow, “Interferometric studies of a piano soundboard,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 119, 1783-1793 (2006).
R. Perrin, G.M. Swallowe, Thomas R. Moore, and Sarah A. Zietlow, “Normal modes of an 18 inch crash cymbal,” Proceedings of the Institute of Acoustics 28, 653-662 (2006).
Conference Presentations
Melissa Dagley and Sarah Evans, “Investing in Our Future: A Proactive Advising and Retention Program for Student Success,” NACADA Annual Conference, Portland, OR, October 23-26, 2022.
Sarah A. Zietlow, “Interferometric studies of a piano soundboard,” March Meeting of the American Physical Society 2006, Baltimore, MD, March 13-17, 2006.
Sarah A. Zietlow, “Interferometric studies of the piano soundboard,” 130th National Meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers, Albuquerque, NM, January 9-13, 2005.
Alexandra R. Robinson and Sarah A. Zietlow, “The normal modes of a piano soundboard,” 128th National Meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers, Miami, Florida, January 25-27, 2004.
Clint Scholar (Outstanding Research Student), 2004
Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in Physics at Rollins College, 2005-2006
Silver Educator at Lake Howell High School (chosen by students), 2006-2007
Black and Blue Award at Hagerty High School (chosen by administration), 2013-2014
Teacher of the Month, Hagerty High School, 2017
Distinguished Faculty Member, UCF Housing and Residence Life, 2018
UCF Advising Program Award: EXCEL/COMPASS, 2021
NACADA Region 4 Excellence in Advising: Advising Program Award for EXCEL/COMPASS, 2022
Star of the Season (Academic Success Coaching Partnership), 2025