Employee spotlight: Sam Campbell
by Vicki Heisser |
We are thrilled to introduce Sam Campbell, our new assistant professor of English
at PWSC! Originally from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Campbell earned a football
scholarship to Concordia University-St. Paul, where he majored in English with an
emphasis on creative writing. After completing his degree, he signed a contract to
play professional football in Europe, spending one season in the German Football League.
Upon returning to the United States, Campbell decided to retire from football but
still had a strong desire to travel. For the next 12 years, he lived in various places
in the West, including Colorado, Montana, Idaho, and Nevada, before joining PWSC and
relocating to Valdez.
When Campbell was in Idaho, he attended Boise State University and obtained a Master
of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, specializing in poetry. He studied poetry, rhetoric,
and composition theories, fascinated by how language uncovers truths about ourselves
and helps us comprehend the world. He believes understanding language from different
perspectives fosters empathy for authors' diverse experiences, which is essential
for meaningful discussions and learning.
This fall, Campbell is teaching Introduction to College Writing, Writing Across Contexts,
Introduction to Humanities II, and Global Literature and Culture. He shared that his
goal is to facilitate a fun, inclusive learning environment where students can guide
the development of class discussions and achieve learning goals. He wants students
to take risks in their writing and reflect on how those risks help refine skills that
can be applied to other disciplines outside the English classroom.
Campbell's wife, Britt, and their Siberian Husky, Dude, will join him in Valdez. He
shared, "We are a family of backcountry enthusiasts always looking for the next adventure.
We are particularly excited about Alaska's wilderness opportunities, from dropping
gnarly lines on Thompson Pass to rafting Alaska's many rivers."
Welcome Sam, Britt and Dude to PWSC, Valdez and your next adventures!