Samantha, better known as Sam, graduated from the University of Mississippi In May 2026 with a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction after earning her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 2024. During her graduate studies, she served as a Graduate Assistant in the School of Education, where she managed communications, coordinated events, and worked closely with students, alumni, faculty, and community partners. In December 2025, she presented educational research at the Mississippi Literacy Association Conference, further strengthening her commitment to student-centered teaching and learning. Throughout her six years at Ole Miss, Sam was deeply involved in student leadership and community engagement. As an Ole Miss Ambassador and member of the Office of Admissions team, she guided prospective and transfer students and their families through the college search process by leading campus tours, hosting recruitment events, and sharing her own experiences as an out of state student. One of the highlights of her undergraduate experience was serving as Miss Ole Miss for the 2023–2024 academic year. In this role, she worked closely with university leadership while representing the student body and raising more than $6,000 for the William Magee Center for AOD and Wellness Education.

As an educator, Sam enjoyed student teaching experiences in diverse and economically disadvantaged schools throughout Mississippi where she learned the importance of culturally responsive teaching and the power of education to connect people across different backgrounds and experiences. Her commitment to hands-on, inquiry-based learning led her to co-author a grant-funded environmental science project that provided middle school students with authentic opportunities to engage in scientific investigation. Throughout the spring of 2026, she helped lead the ongoing development of the school courtyard ecosystem that grew from the project, maintaining gardens, monitoring environmental conditions, and supporting outdoor learning experiences that connected students with their local environment. Her passion for student development also continued each summer through her work with Extended Day Services, a local children's program in her hometown of Pittsburgh, Penneyslvania focused on socialization, education, and recreation. Beginning as a camp counselor and later being promoted to Site Director, Sam helped create enriching experiences that supported students' academic, social, and emotional growth.

As a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant at Athens College, Sam is excited to learn alongside her students, share American culture, and deepen her understanding of Greek culture and education. Having grown up in the Pittsburgh area, home to one of the largest Greek communities in the United States, she is especially excited to experience Greece firsthand. In her free time, she enjoys discovering new coffee shops, cooking and sharing meals with others, and listening to music.