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Sara Gast

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Sara Gast

Deputy Executive Director, Carnegie Classifications

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Sara Gast is the deputy executive director of the Carnegie Classifications, supporting the development and redesign of the classification system. She joined ACE in May 2022 after serving as the chief of staff and executive director of strategic communications at the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching.

Prior to joining NIET, Sara worked at the Tennessee Department of Education and served as the director of communications for Commissioner Candice McQueen under Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. Sara began her education policy career working for U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, serving as a press aide and director of strategic communications at the U.S. Department of Education during the Obama Administration.

Sara graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in English and sociology.