Sara Steffens received her B.F.A. in Photography and Minor in Art History at Missouri State University. Additionally, she had the pleasure of working with a lead photographer in advertisement and a curator of a museum in Springfield, Missouri.

She spent part of her education in Florence, Italy at Santa Reparata International School of Art for photography and mixed media. She also had a photography exhibition in Italy containing portraits of strangers she had met on the streets.

Prior to arriving at Southeast Missouri State University, Sara was the Director for the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri. In her spare time, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Missouri Association of Community Arts Agencies and was named 573 Magazine Art Person of the Year in 2019.