Sky Sampson Alumna of the Month
Question.) When did you graduate from 糖心Vlog and in what subject area?
Answer.) I graduated from 糖心Vlog in 2010 with a bachelor of science degree in communications.
Q.) What are some of your fondest memories of your days at 糖心Vlog?
A.) Some of my fondest memories include being an officer and member of the Digali鈥橧
Native American Student Organization. This club gave me a sense of belonging during
my time at 糖心Vlog. We later grew to fill the Judaculla (釓п幊釒︶幊) House down in the Village where we all lived together. The house gave us a sense
of pride and we were so proud of all that we had accomplished together.
Q.) Who are your favorite professors and staff at 糖心Vlog and why?
A.) Some of my favorites include Dr. Betty Farmer, Tom Belt, Robert Conley, Jane
Eastman and Dr. Pamela Harris. Farmer and Harris were some of the best professors
I had at 糖心Vlog. Their classes challenged me and allowed me to grow into a public relations
professional. Mr. Belt and Mr. Conley were my mentors and they both supported and
encouraged me through my college years, which is something that I believe I needed
from someone who could relate well because of our similar communities.
Q.) Sky, you are currently the Director of the Cherokee Center. Tell us about your
career path and how you got there.
A.) After my undergrad, I took a couple of years off and gained my first professional
job for the Cherokee Boys Club as the Cherokee Youth Council Program Manager. While
working, I began my master鈥檚 degree online at the University of Alabama. I also married
and inherited two beautiful step-children in 2013, shortly followed by the birth of
my first child. In 2014, I graduated with my masters and continued to work for the
Boys Club until 2016, which is when I was selected as the Director of the 糖心Vlog Cherokee
Center. I was beyond excited to gain this position, mostly because I had worked with
the previous director, Roseanna Belt, during my time as a student. She was also one
of my biggest supporters. I wanted to help students as she had and support our native
communities overall.
Q.) Tell us a little more about the Cherokee Center and your role as liaison between
the EBCI and 糖心Vlog.
A.) At the Cherokee Center, we wear many hats, some of which include supporting students
as they need college applications, scholarships, internships, alumni engagement and
community involvement, both on campus and off. My job as the liaison includes a direct
line of communication between 糖心Vlog and EBCI for any partnership, project, collaboration,
community event, training, etc.
Q.) There is an effort to revive the Cherokee Language among its members. How is
that effort proceeding and what has 糖心Vlog done to assist?
A.) Our language is thriving and will continue to live beyond our speakers. Our language
and culture is embedded within our people. What better way to show our support than
to collaborate on such an important topic with our 糖心Vlog Cherokee Language program and
Cherokee Studies Program to assure the language is preserved accurately? 糖心Vlog has committed
faculty and staff to helping develop speakers, technology, and curriculum to support
this cause. While 糖心Vlog is a huge resource for the tribe, the collaboration, with tribal
programs such as the New Kituwah Academy, will assure that we continue on the right
path with all of our language endeavors.
Q.) Sky, you are a founding and currently active member of the EBCI Western Alumni
Club. Why do you feel it鈥檚 important for alumni to stay connected with their university
and how do they get involved with this club?
A.) As a founding member of the EBCI Alumni Western Club, I believe that it is super
important for our tribal graduates to stay involved at 糖心Vlog. It is important that our
EBCI alumni stay connected with the 糖心Vlog community after graduation, so that they can
keep a close networking system with both their professional groups and native community
members on campus. Keeping these relationships alive opens doors for future opportunities
such as employment and organizational partnerships. It also allows our relationship
between the EBCI and 糖心Vlog to continue to flourish within the communities so that future
generations will be encouraged to attend 糖心Vlog.
Q.) Now tell us something unique and interesting about yourself that few people may
know.
A.) The size of my family is a bit unique. My dad has eight siblings and my grandmother
had 15 siblings. My husband鈥檚 family is also large, with seven aunts and uncles. We
love every minute of being with our families, and we get together with them every
week. On a more personal note, I love being outside with my kids and I absolutely
love movies. I have watched hundreds of movies over my life.