Inside Athletics

Samantha Koch plays an essential role in the daily operations of Penn State Schuylkill Athletics as the Administrative Assistant for Student Affairs and Athletics. Known for her attention to detail, all-knowingness, and the collection of toy ducks that lives on her desk, Sam helps keep the department running smoothly behind the scenes.

After graduating from Tamaqua Area High School in 2012, Sam attended Penn State Hazleton where she earned her associate degree in 2016 and a bachelor's degree in Rehabilitation and Human Services in 2018. She is currently working toward a master's degree in Higher Education, which she plans to complete in 2025. Although she didn't attend the Schuylkill campus as a student, Sam has been part of the community for two and a half years and has found her place here.

"I was looking for a transition to a job I was passionate about and that had an impact on the community," she said. "This role was my ah-ha moment. I knew this is where I belonged. Working in higher education is what I was passionate about."

Her daily responsibilities are wide-ranging. She coordinates transportation for athletic teams, oversees campus vehicle maintenance, handles team meal money, manages payments and deposits for student trips and fundraisers, reconciles expenses, processes invoices, places orders, and manages volunteer coach compliance. Sam also assists with reserving campus spaces and processing reimbursements.

Before joining the staff, Sam was a track and field athlete in high school, competing in the shot put and javelin. Today, she enjoys hiking and has taken annual trips with Athletic Trainer Kate. "I have hiked in PA, NY, MD, VA, WV, and FL so far. Acadia National Park is next on the list," she said.

As she works toward completing her degree, one of her goals is to pursue new opportunities and continue growing professionally. When it comes to supporting student-athletes, she values qualities like respect, accountability, and determination. Her advice is simple but powerful. "Attitude is a small thing that makes a big difference."

Sam encourages students to stop by if they have questions or need help navigating processes. "Come see me when you need to pay for a student trip or fundraiser, or for general inquiries about anything really. If I don't know the answer, I can direct you to who might or find out for you."

She's grateful for the culture at Schuylkill and the people she works with. "I would like to thank everyone for being great co-workers. Sure there are some bumps in the road, but overall, I love working here and enjoy being able to work with you through it all. I can honestly say I enjoy coming to work every day, even when my ducks are not in a row."