Samantha Smith

Sam Smith (she/they) is a PhD candidate in U.S. history whose research focuses on nightlife and entertainment in Chicago, Las Vegas, and Reno during the mid-late 20th century.

Before returning to her studies, she worked for over four years as an archivist at the Newberry Library in Chicago, Illinois. During their time there they curated exhibits, served on the reference desk, supervised graduate student internships, and processed archival collections related to Chicago dance and performing arts history. While in Chicago she performed her poetry at open mics throughout the city, including at the legendary Green Mill.

As an educator she champions accessibility because she believes in the justice of a world where people with disabilities do not simply survive but thrive. In the classroom the tools they most often reach for are mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) approaches such as breathing exercises, trauma-informed pedagogy, and radical empathy.

During their time at MSU, they worked as a research assistant for Dr. Nakia Parker and Dr. Sharon Leon. For over two years, she worked with Dr. Sharon Leon, the core team, testing partners, and advisory board for the Mellon-funded “On These Grounds” project, a digital initiative to describe the history of enslavement found in archival materials at colleges and universities.

Feel free to connect with her on LinkedIn or reach out through email: smit3327@msu.edu.

Or, follow her on Instagram (@empereurdelalune) for dank memes, Dad jokes, and sunsets.