Growing up in the Shoals, Sam was always aware of UNA’s presence, but it wasn’t until he enrolled that he genuinely understood the university’s impact on the local community. Coming from a family where his father was the first to graduate college, Sam knew the value of education and community involvement. At first, he thought law school was his path, but through experiential learning and internships, he discovered a passion for economic development.
Sam’s time at UNA opened his eyes to the role of business and government in shaping a community. Through a fellowship with the Regional Workforce Council, he learned about industry needs and how nonprofits and local governments can collaborate to meet them. This experience shifted his focus from law to community development, and Sam realized his goal was to help make the Shoals a better place to live, work, and thrive.
While pursuing his political science degree, Sam recognized that his business knowledge needed to be expanded. He decided to pursue an MBA at UNA, becoming the first in his family to earn a graduate degree. The online MBA program offered flexibility, allowing Sam to balance work and study while deepening his understanding of business principles.
Sam’s education at UNA has not only prepared him for his role at the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, where he helps businesses and entrepreneurs start and grow their ventures, but it has also strengthened his ties to the community he loves. He credits UNA’s hands-on learning opportunities and supportive faculty for helping him reach his goals. His connections with classmates from diverse industries also expanded his perspective on how business functions on a broader scale.
Today, Sam is directly impacting the Shoals community, using the knowledge and experience he gained at UNA to drive economic growth. He’s proud of his roots and thankful for UNA’s role in shaping his future. For Sam, UNA isn’t just a school; it’s a catalyst for change in the local community.
