Have You Met… Samantha Christensen?
Have you met Samantha, administrative team lead for Augustana’s academic departments? Spend a few minutes getting to know her a little better.
What is your first U of A memory?
I’m an alumna of the U of A Augustana Campus (’12), so my first U of A memory is from when I was a prospective student. I came to Augustana for a campus visit while I was applying to universities, and sat in on a chemistry class with Dr. James Kariuki, who demonstrated a hydrogen balloon experiment. Even though my degree is in the Humanities, it was Dr. Kariuki’s exploding balloon that sealed the deal on Augustana for me!
What’s something your coworkers don’t know about you?
The version of Sam that my coworkers see is organized and on top of things, but in my personal life I’m a disaster! I lose things constantly, burn things on the stove, leave my coffee on the roof of my car, etc. Also, if anyone comes across my wallet and keys anywhere can you shoot me an email? Thanks.
What’s your favourite distraction?
Right now I’m completely engrossed in true crime podcasts. While working from home, whenever I need a screen break I make myself a snack (usually involving peanut butter) and listen to whatever true crime series I’m addicted to at the time. Right now it’s Up and Vanished with Payne Lindsay.
If you were enrolling in one course, program or degree right now, what would it be?
I’d love to take the Change Management series of courses offered by the U of A Faculty of Extension. It looks like a great series and I think it would be especially useful right now!
What’s a weird pet peeve you have?
I think I have a few weird pet peeves, but the one that has been coming up most recently is baby talk! I mean adults using a cutesy baby voice to talk to children or other adults. I’m all for embracing the inner child, but there’s just something about baby talk that gives me the heebie jeebies.
You can invite anyone — alive or dead, real or fictional — to dinner. Who would it be?
I think right now it’s especially important to make time for silliness and laughter, so I would love to have dinner with Chris Farley. Can you imagine how much fun that would be?
If you could see any live performance tomorrow, what would it be?
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, my partner’s band was booked as an opener for a show in Winnipeg, but it was obviously cancelled. If I could see any performance, it would be that one.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
My 18-year-old self would never take advice from anyone, but nonetheless I would tell her to make decisions based on what she feels is best for her, since this is her life and she’s the one who’s living it. I would also tell her that no matter what she thinks, she cannot pull off bangs.
What’s one thing you can’t live without?
Friday take-out and movie night with my partner and kids! It’s a ritual that I look forward to all week.
What three words describe your U of A experience?
Growth, Connection, Fun.
About Samantha Christensen
Samantha Christensen has been a part of the U of A community throughout her entire adult life, starting with a BA in English from the U of A’s Augustana Faculty and an MA in English and Film Studies from the U of A. When she’s not working with her team to keep Augustana’s academic departments running smoothly, she’s connecting with friends and chasing her kids around.
