Samantha Buchanan

Samantha Buchanan aligns her personal values with her professional actions. Her nominator said, “She has a clear sense of purpose that centers on what is best for students and families, and she translates this commitment into intentional decision-making.”

As associate director for New Student and Family Programs, Sam respects and cares for the whole person, whether a student, family member, or coworker. Her thoughtfulness reassures families, and the partnerships and systems she builds lay the groundwork for student belonging and success.

Sam’s passion for her work is fueled by her experience as a first-generation college student. Having overcome major challenges to make her education possible, she said, “Now, my goal is to help students transition to college more smoothly and provide education and resources that I didn't have or didn't take advantage of because I didn't understand them myself.”

Sam is guided by her values of kindness, community, and helping others. She said, “The world already has enough negativity, so I try to add care and support instead.”

Sam trains her team to lead with empathy and kindness, no matter the situation. When students or families have questions or concerns that might seem repetitive or that lie outside the scope of the team’s control, Sam said, “I speak with our student leaders about how our families might be feeling and why they might act the way they do, but I insist that we always use kindness when responding and interacting.”

Her nominator said Sam’s authenticity in modeling her values contributes to a workplace culture of trust and respect. Her consistency and purposeful decision-making empower others to bring their best selves to their work.

Her nominator said, “Sam’s integrity is evident in the way she treats others — whether she is engaging with new families during visits, checking in with team members, or collaborating with colleagues across campus. She recognizes her strengths in building relationships, fostering connections, and creating systems that work cohesively, and she uses those strengths to make a meaningful impact.”

Her nominator credits Sam’s leadership with elevating the team’s creativity, innovation, service, and collective success, noting, “Her ability to remain true to her personal and professional values, even in the face of challenges, reflects her unwavering commitment to fostering a community where every person feels valued.”

Sam is passionate about motherhood, teaching, and reading. A mother of two sons, of her many achievements, she is most proud of them and who they are becoming.

Sam reads to reconnect with herself, and last year, she formed a local book club. She said, “I believe that hearing and learning from others’ stories is an important part of being a community-minded person.”

Away from her work with Virginia Tech, Sam serves as a substitute teacher for Montgomery County Public Schools and is looking forward to resuming her work teaching global English learners online.

For bringing more kindness into the world through her work, values, and daily interactions, Student Affairs is proud to present the Faculty/Staff Aspire! Award for PURSUE SELF-UNDERSTANDING AND INTEGRITY to Samantha Buchanan.