Professor Samaniego holds a Master’s in Business Administration. She has over 13 years of experience in public health related fields, spanning from college health and violence prevention, to end-of-life care. She teaches Health Psychology and the Psychology of Gender within the Psychology & Child Development Department, and Public Speaking in Communication Studies. Beyond teaching, she conducts research in partnership with the Kinesiology & Public Health Department regarding sexual and reproductive health among college-aged populations. Prior to becoming faculty, she held leadership roles within the university health center, developing programs and key initiatives that supported student wellness, particularly concerning patient advocacy, health equity and access, trauma-informed care, and relationship health.