Biography

Dr. Samantha Rae Powers is a generalist in the Department of Strategic, Legal and Management Communication (SLMC), with teaching and practical experience across the department’s three major areas of study. Samantha earned her B.S. in public relations at University of Florida, while gaining work experience in media relations, event planning and coordinating, and hospitality management. She also earned her M.A. and J.D. at University of Florida, including coursework in strategic public relations, media law, employment law, negotiation, and mediation. Prior to earning her Ph.D. specializing in organizational communication at University of California, Santa Barbara, Samantha worked for seven years as a Florida attorney, primarily practicing employment law and consumer financial services litigation, and as a Florida Supreme Court-certified County Mediator. In addition to her teaching and research activities, Samantha serves as the Internship Coordinator for SLMC and as the Cathy Hughes School of Communications Interdisciplinary Studies Program Coordinator.