Samantha Jones
February 11, 2020
Samantha Jones (2019)
Samantha Jones left Truman State University in 2013 for Truett Theological Seminary, where she earned a Master of Divinity in 2016. While in seminary, Sam served as the youth pastor at Bosqueville Baptist Church and University Baptist Church. When she moved back to the Chicagoland area, she honed in on her passion for speaking and writing. She is in the process of pitching her first book, speaks at various churches and organizations, and coaches high school forensics for Hinsdale Central High School.
What year did you graduate and what was your concentration?
I graduated in May 2013 with a B.A. in Communication Studies with a minor in Theatre.
What extra-/co-curricular activities did you do?
Samantha & a friend (2011).
Wow. It might be easier to list which extra-curriculars didn’t I do. Let’s see, I was a member of Campus Christian Fellowship, Sweet Nothings (a co-ed a cappella group), Franklin Street Singers show choir, Truman Forensic Union, University Swingers, and the Independent Performing Art Coalition. I was also in the Theatre Department (it was my minor) performing in shows, and as an intern in the costume shop. Then there was Alpha Psi Omega, Student Ambassadors, lifeguarding at the natatorium, being an Orientation Leader, . . . I’m sure there are more, but I’ve forgotten at this point
Did you go to grad school? If so, where? Was it immediately after you left Truman or did you wait? Why?
Yes! I went to George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University. I went immediately after Truman because I knew I wanted to continue my education and if I took a break from school I didn’t know if I would actually accomplish that goal.
What was your first job after graduation?
My first job after graduation was working for Truman as a Freshman Orientation Leader. If that doesn’t count, my first job outside of Truman was as a Youth Pastor at Bosqueville Baptist Church in Waco, TX.
What work do you do/What are you doing now?
I am in the process of submitting a book proposal to various publishers and literary agents. It’s about growing up/being a sibling of someone with special needs and advocating for his rare disability.
I also speak publicly on various topics ranging from Christian ministry, Feminism (shout out to Dr. James Cianciola and Dr. Diane Johnson), adolescents, how to advocate for people with varied abilities or the “Special Needs” community, being a woman in ministry, as well as various other topics and performances, such as spoken word and monologues.
Lastly, I coach speech (forensics) at Hinsdale Central High School in the Chicagoland area.
Samantha (2nd fr left), with the Hinsdale Central staff, showing off the hardware (2019).
How has your Liberal Arts/COMM education helped you?
My liberal arts degree made me more well rounded as a person, helped me meet more people, and make more connections both on campus and after graduation. I was also able to figure out what I actually liked and didn’t like. For instance, I put off my sociology requirement until later in my education. Once I took it, though, I realized how interested I was in the combination of sociology and communication and then took classes in Family Communication and Interpersonal Communication, which I use as the basis of most of my work now.
I was also able to space out my more difficult classes with other classes I needed, but were much more enjoyable than work heavy so my semesters were not as stressful. Ironically, I remember more from those semesters and classes because I wasn’t as overwhelmed trying to memorize everything.
What would you say a COMM student should absolutely do while at Truman?
Any student in the COMM Department should find a professor they connect with and meet with them regularly. Mine, ended up being my advisor, but I also regularly met with a handful of other professors as well. They became mentors and friends who helped me figure out difficult choices when it came to career (academically and professionally). They were there in difficult times, supported me, advocated for me, and gave me the tough love I needed to live up to my potential.
Samantha preaching (2017).
Which class did you dislike at the time you took it, but now you’re grateful you took it?
The first class that comes to mind as a class I didn’t want to take and didn’t really like at the time is my JINS course on the origins of life. I had forgotten to sign up for a JINS course and it was the only one left open at a time I had free, so I was stuck with it. We spent half the semester talking about the scientific theories of how creation happened, and then the second half of the semester discussing a wide range of religious theologies of how creation was formed. I saw a lot of it as busy work, or an “easy” class. Now, working as a Pastor, Speaker, and Writer, I refer back to it constantly.
Samantha “trodding the boards” (2012).
What was your greatest accomplishment at Truman?
My greatest accomplishment at Truman, aside from getting a thumbs up from James Cianciola at my graduation ceremony, was getting into Alpha Psi Omega after joining the Theatre Department later in my college career, and getting to wear my cords at graduation.
Why is Truman a good place for a student to study?
Truman is a great place to study because it feels like a family. There are so many professors I keep in contact with and consider friends now. It is a beautiful campus and it’s what you make of it, especially if you find all the secret gems Kirksville and Truman’s campus have to offer. There is a wide variety of topics to study and things to get involved in.
I miss my time at Truman! I miss being so close to my friends and being able to pop into my professors offices just to talk.
What advice would you give someone who wants to go into the same line of work as you?
If you want to go into my line of work, you have to just go for it and make it happen for yourself. You need to be your own ambassador, make connections, and figure out your voice and why others should listen to it.
What do you miss most about campus/Kirksville?
I miss a lot of things about Kirksville. Primarily, I miss hiking out at Rainbow Basin. It was my little oasis away from campus that I would go to when I was upset, stressed, or just needed a break. Like I said before, I miss the people a lot, too, with all of being there together at the same time.
Samantha (right) and a friend studying the Bible (2011).
What tag line would you create for the COMM department at Truman?
“Truman Communication Department: A variety of voices presented in a variety of ways.”
If you could come back to Truman and teach a class for a semester, what would be its title and what would it be about?
If I could come back to Truman and teach a class for a semester it would be a spin-off of Dr. Weitz’ Interpersonal Communication class, focusing on how we communicate to ourselves and how affects how we communicate with others. It would be called: Self Dialogue.
I would also love to have a female speaker empowerment class to give women a wider platform to speak, while instilling confidence for future positions in the workplace and society. It would be titled: Who Runs the World? Girls. (Thank you Queen B).
What did we not ask that you think is important for people to know?
You are not limited to professions you have studied in college. That is why I chose Communication in the first place! It is hits so many different areas of study and can only continue to help you in your future. I have worked in a WIDE variety of places ranging from accounting firms to churches to leading hiking and camping trips through the Grand Canyon. Don’t limit yourself and keep pushing yourself to figure out what you really want and go for it.
Samantha celebrating graduation (2013).
If you would like to learn more of Samantha’s story, you can follow her on Instagram, Pinterest, or you can visit her website.