2021 Pursuit of Inclusion Award Recipient: Samantha Eldridge

Samantha Eldridge (she/her/hers) serves as the executive assistant to the associate vice president for student development and inclusion. Samantha has become a trusted colleague who is dependable. She is also described as an advocate who speaks out and does what is right to address inequity even in the most uncomfortable of situations.

Samantha has been a driving force in ensuring that the voices of underrepresented students are heard. She has done this by launching a survey to understand the perceptions of support for Native and Indigenous students by student support services departments. She has also coordinated listening sessions to provide students the space to share concerns and recommendations for change.

She has led the development and execution of some events during Native American Heritage Month, including the Native American Heritage Month Gallery Stroll and Virtual Gallery. Samantha’s approach to social justice and inclusion work is from a community-based approach, and we all can benefit from this as we actively stand as One U and One Student Affairs. 

On behalf of the Student Affairs Diversity Committee, we congratulate Samantha and thank her for her pursuit of inclusion on campus and in the community.