Proudly known as a “unicorn” in her hometown of Austin, Texas, Samantha Sheffield (‘20) holds the distinction of being born and raised in a city that has seen explosive growth and transformation.
Sheffield earned her undergraduate degree in public relations from Texas State University. While her coursework laid the academic foundation for her career, it was her volunteer work that sparked a lasting passion for youth development, community engagement, and civic education.
After graduation, she served with AmeriCorps at College Forward, supporting first-generation college students navigating the complexities of higher education across local institutions like Texas State and Austin Community College.
In 2018, Sheffield enrolled at the Clinton School of Public Service, where she dedicated her fieldwork to projects focused on youth empowerment and public engagement. Her first-year Practicum team worked with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality on a needs assessment and best practices research.
During her International Public Service Project, she traveled through nine Central and Eastern European countries interviewing community activists with the European Community Organizing Network.
Her Capstone project evaluated the Beyond Civility program at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute through interviews with high school participants. She also worked with the Pine Bluff Mayor’s Youth Council to create a guide for launching municipal youth councils, and worked with the Clinton School’s Student Government Association to assess the school’s health and wellness initiatives.
After graduating in May 2020, Sheffield returned to Austin to continue her work in youth development and community empowerment. She now serves on the Community and Government Affairs team at Austin Community College, where she supports local students, families, and fellow Austinites as they navigate pathways to college and career success.
What do you most enjoy about your role at Austin Community College?
When I first read the description for my job at ACC, I couldn’t believe I had stumbled into a job that is perfect for me. It has such a beautiful mix of my favorite things: youth empowerment, community and civic engagement, and bridge building. Everyday is a new day with new potential for ways to help my fellow Austinites and Central Texans as they hope to access resources that could bolster their future financial and personal goals. I’m not one to be happy sitting behind a computer and doing paperwork; I have to be out in our neighborhoods attending community meetings, making positive connections, and helping solve problems.
What does public service mean to you?
Public service means elevating people and their voices so they can get the resources they need and can advocate for themselves. When I work with my student groups, I do everything I can to help get them to “the table”. I can provide training, a hug, or a hype up speech, but, ultimately, it’s up to them to tell their stories and advocate for the changes that THEY know THEY need.
What is one thing that most people don’t know about you?
When I was younger, my dream job was to be a zookeeper or the vice president of the United States. I mostly wanted to play with animals, but my backup idea was to help run the country…but in the easier, less stressful position? While neither of those career paths have worked out for me thus far, I still enjoy spending time with animals and being loosely connected to politics instead through community organizations and activism.
What was your favorite class in your time as a Clinton School student?
I loved so many of my classes, but I think my favorite course-adjacent educational opportunity was when I completed an independent study in my final year. My advisor, the incredible Dr. Richards, was happy to help me work with my first youth council program in Pine Bluff. I worked with staff in the mayor’s office to create program structure, recruit and select students, and host educational learning opportunities. Unfortunately, the student’s amazing efforts to host a community resource fair were cut short by the start of the pandemic, but I was able to interview the staff and young people to create a guidebook about how to start a youth council in other municipalities.
This work came in handy when I went to work for the City of Austin’s Community Youth Development program, where I ran a youth council in one of the under-supported neighborhoods on the southeast side of town. Even as I transitioned out of that role and into my role at ACC, I have continued to support the students and am now a sponsor of the new Central Texas Opportunity Youth Council. On this council, young people from the Central Texas region gather together to interview disconnected peers in an effort to improve life outcomes. Some of my most rewarding work has been with organizations that serve young people through a youth council, and that all started in my independent study at the Clinton School.
What skills did you learn at the Clinton School that you still put to use in your job or life today?
So many! Communication and Social (Ex)change has a daily impact on my work in the Community and Government Affairs department of a higher education institution. Program planning and development come in handy when I’m analyzing potential new programs and events my small, but mighty team is hoping to host efficiently AND when we need to evaluate in order to make adjustments. Field Research Methods has been largely intertwined in my work over the last year.
For example, we have been aiming to engage more older adults on campus. Initially, my team assumed that older adults may be interested in educational opportunities to help them change careers or learn new skills but we went into the community to gather data. At community centers and with senior groups, we conducted interviews and surveys that ultimately taught us that older adults aren’t interested in expanded education but are truly hoping to get more connected into their community through engaging activities. After I analyzed all of the data, my team and I began the process of coordinating a new effort called “Morning at the Mall” where community members can visit our mall-turned-college campus to participate in activities and learn about other ACC resources.
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