By day, Sara McCarty is building Nebraska’s future health care workforce. By night, she’s coaching the UNK Sapphires Dance Team. In both roles, her focus is the same: education, mentorship and strengthening the communities she serves.
A Kearney native and Kearney Catholic High School graduate, McCarty earned a bachelor’s degree in family studies with a minor in social work from UNK in 2011.
Her passion for health care took shape after college through her work with the American Cancer Society, where she supported patients and families while educating communities about cancer risk, prevention and early detection. That experience, she said, “reinforced my commitment to improving health outcomes through education and community engagement.”
Now, as Central Nebraska Area Health Education Center program coordinator, McCarty supports students across the health care pipeline, from high school through professional training, with a focus on rural and underserved communities. She coordinates programs that introduce students to health care careers while working to strengthen Nebraska’s long-term workforce and access to care.
That same emphasis on growth shapes her approach as head coach of the Sapphires, a role she’s held since 2013. A former member of the team, McCarty prioritizes leadership, accountability and personal development alongside performance, maintaining strong connections to the program and the students who pass through it.
“Supporting physical fitness, healthy lifestyles and academic success is a key part of my work, not to mention helping them build skills to be successful after they leave UNK,” she said.
Tell us about your role as Central Nebraska AHEC program coordinator:
The Area Health Education Center of Nebraska is part of a national organization focused on addressing health care workforce needs, particularly in rural and underserved communities. I am one of five regional directors across the state, serving central Nebraska.
Specifically, I coordinate our Kearney Health Opportunities Program and Health Science Explorers Learning Communities at the undergraduate level, where students gain academic and professional development, explore health care careers, network with health professionals and are exposed to topics related to supporting rural and underserved communities in Nebraska. I also collaborate with the four other regional centers on the Nebraska AHEC Scholars Program, a two-year interprofessional program for health professional students that connects them to communities and employment while deepening their understanding of Nebraska’s health care needs.
What are your responsibilities as dance coach?
As the college dance coach, my role goes beyond teaching technique and choreography. I focus on developing my student-athletes’ skills, teamwork and personal growth. I recruit and retain dancers for the program and coordinate practices, performances and appearances, including UNK events outside of athletics and the Kearney community.
I also work with my team to facilitate camps and clinics, helping us engage youths and high school students interested in collegiate dance or looking to improve their skills and team performance. Additionally, I manage uniforms, gear and any travel logistics, ensuring the team is prepared and organized. Being part of the Sapphires program allows me to give back to the community that shaped me and help students feel connected to something larger than themselves.
What is your dance background?
I began dancing at age 3 at a Kearney dance studio. In addition to training in a variety of styles, I danced competitively and was a member of my high school dance team. I danced on the Sapphires Dance Team throughout all four years of college.
Talk about your experience as a member of the Sapphires:
I actually wasn’t aware of the UNK dance team at first. During the spring of my senior year of high school, one of my teammates asked if I was planning to try out for the Sapphires, knowing I would be attending UNK that fall. I told her I didn’t realize tryouts were happening and she said they were that night.
On a whim I decided to go. I showed up, paid the registration fee and thought, “I am completely unprepared but here it goes.” It was a two-day tryout, but because I had a high school dance competition the next day, I was filmed that night. I learned choreography, demonstrated technique, completed the interview and improvised my solo. When it was over, I thought, “I can’t believe I just did this.”
The next morning, while at my competition, I received the call that I had made the team. In that moment, I realized how badly I wanted it. My best friend, who danced with me at the studio, also made the team. Together we came in as freshmen with a fearless mindset and a strong desire to help grow the program.
We weren’t alone in that effort. There were many key contributors during that time. Several traditions and elements of the program, including sidelines, the fight song, football pregame and other components, were created or significantly evolved during those years. I took on the role of captain my sophomore year and my passion for the program continued to grow. That experience shaped not only my leadership style but also my long-term commitment to the UNK Dance Team.
In the nearly 20 years I have been connected to this program, we have continually evolved and grown traditions within both the dance team and the UNK spirit squad. Being part of the game-day experience and UNK and Kearney communities allows our team members to be fully immersed and, hopefully, recognize that they are connected to something much larger than themselves.
One unique aspect of my time on the team was the strong connections I made with fans, athletic staff and campus leaders. As the coach now, it’s especially meaningful to maintain those relationships. Seeing familiar faces in the stands and connecting with fans years later is truly special.
Many may not know that the Sapphires have a long and proud history, dating back to the late 1960s. The team has gone by several names over the years, including the Wagoneers and the UNK Dance Team, before becoming the Sapphires in the early 2000s. So far as the coach, team sizes have varied from eight to 18 members each season, and I’ve had the privilege of coaching more than 70 incredible women.
Why did you decide to become the coach?
I chose to become the dance coach when the opportunity unexpectedly came my way. It had been nearly three years since I had been on the team when I was asked to step into the role. While I was a bit nervous, I gladly accepted and it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.
The women I have coached have truly shaped who I am today. It means so much to me that many of them keep in touch, whether through a random text, social media message or invitations to baby showers and weddings. I don’t think a week goes by without hearing from someone I’ve coached, whether from my first season or just the year before. That connection means the world to me.
I hope they know the lasting impact they’ve had on my heart, because that is why I continue to coach. Balancing a full-time job, coaching and being a mom to two little ones is a big commitment, but one I am deeply grateful for.
This team is built on more than dance. It’s about life skills and personal growth. I strive to guide my dancers to become the best versions of themselves during their time with me. We emphasize kindness, lifting others up and being intentional about how we leave people feeling. The culture of this program, its people and values will always be my top priority.
What do you love most about UNK?
UNK is truly special to me. I had an incredible undergraduate experience here and met lifelong friends who helped shape who I am today. Connection has always been central to my personality and UNK embodies that by bringing people together in meaningful ways.
Over the years, I’ve collaborated with varying parts of this campus, from different academic departments, student organizations, our band, athletics, alumni engagement and leadership. Being connected to so many parts of UNK has given me a well-rounded perspective and a deep sense of pride as a Loper. Adding to that legacy, both of my parents are graduates of Kearney State College, which makes my connection to UNK even more meaningful.
Share something unique about yourself:
My husband Ryan, also a UNK graduate, is a senior IT internal auditor for The Buckle. We have two little girls, Amelia and Lillian, who have also found a love for dance. Most playtimes involve tutus and performances that always end with a wave to the “audience,” just like the Sapphires do! Both girls attend the same studio I grew up in, which has been incredibly special for me. Of course, they love the Sapphires and coming to games. They even have a few Barbies named after some of the team members.
Outside of dance, we enjoy working on puzzles together, as well as anything outdoors, such as exploring Kearney’s trails and, when possible, escaping to the mountains in Colorado.
