At the Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) and Missouri Protoplex, the team is thrilled to introduce Sarah Newbanks, the Communications and Event Planning Officer. Sarah’s diverse background and dedication to supporting small businesses bring a unique perspective to her role.
Sarah’s journey to the team is quite different from those typically found in the engineering field. She studied business and marketing at DePaul University, which led her to help run an independent grocery company for nearly 12 years. After the owners retired and the business was sold to a large corporation, she ventured into the travel industry, starting her own business. Her commitment to small businesses extended through her work with various organizations such as a small business owner’s partnership in her hometown and the local Chamber of Commerce. “My overarching interest was, and still is, helping locally owned businesses succeed,” she explains.
In May 2024, Sarah joined Missouri S&T as an Executive Assistant and took on the role of Communications and Event Planning Officer a few months after. “I was drawn to the university because of their amazing reputation for quality education in our area,” she says. CAM and Missouri Protoplex impressed her with their industry relationships and impactful work. “My ties to small business owners helped me see the value in having these types of resources available to stay competitive in today’s market,” she adds.
In her role, Sarah creates and distributes external communications and promotional materials through various channels, highlighting the projects and research of CAM and Missouri Protoplex. She also organizes events such as workshops, training opportunities, and hosting guests on campus. “Seeing the amazing technologies our engineers are working on is always exciting,” she shares. Although she does not have an engineering background, she recognizes that the implications for the industry are thrilling. “My favorite part about working with the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Missouri Protoplex is seeing the real-world applications of the new technologies being developed and how small businesses and local companies can benefit and be more competitive in the market,” she notes.
Sarah’s passion for communications stems from her love of teaching others and sharing information. “There is no value in the great work the team here is doing if no one knows about it. I want to help the team at the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Missouri Protoplex shine and share their findings with everyone who can benefit from it,” she explains. Her key responsibilities are communicating the engineers’ research and projects, and events or training materials they offer. She also facilitates teaching opportunities through helping with the planning of workshops, demonstrations, and tours.
One highlight for Sarah of her work is working with small businesses, a network she has worked closely with in the past. “I understand the struggles with finances, workforce, supply chain, and competition that they face, so when I see opportunities that can benefit them, such as the shared manufacturing space in Missouri Protoplex, I am proud to be a part of the team,” she shares. This shared manufacturing space allows companies to use the full-scale, cutting-edge equipment in Missouri Protoplex, complete training, and see the product that can be created with it before making the investment to include the equipment in their own facilities.
Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family. Her son is very active in sports and extracurricular activities, keeping their evenings and weekends busy. She is also a board member on the Sullivan Area Chamber of Commerce, a committee member for Friends of Boy Scout Troop 444, committee member for Franklin County Area United Way, and served for nearly a decade in Rotary International’s Sullivan club. While still operating her travel business on a smaller scale, she enjoys helping others plan vacations and going on her own whenever possible.
Sarah credits her parents as the biggest influence in her career. “They have instilled values that I hold as top priority in how I conduct myself and my interactions with others. Key values such as respect, integrity, and hard work transcend industry and apply to all areas of life,” she explains.
For those interested in a career in communications, Sarah recommends finding an industry or company that aligns with your interests and beliefs. “It is much more satisfying to communicate about or promote something you believe in and that you are passionate about,” she emphasizes.
Sarah Newbanks’s journey and contributions to CAM and Missouri Protoplex exemplify the innovative spirit and dedication that drive the team. Her work not only advances communications and event planning but also inspires the next generation of professionals, ensuring a bright future for U.S. manufacturing.