Tenth in a series of stories highlighting the academic and community achievements of Rocket student-athletes.

By Chris Cullum, assistant athletic communications director

TOLEDO, Ohio - Emma Sampson does not like to waste a moment.

A senior on the University of Toledo swimming & diving team, Sampson does everything she can to maximize her schedule and be the best she can be, no matter the task.

"I don't really like to just be sitting around doing nothing," said Sampson, a native of Mount Sterling, Ohio. "My teammates poke fun at me because when I get to practice I want to get in the water as soon as I can. I just want to use as much time as possible to train, which is what we're at practice for."

In addition to her full schedule as a collegiate swimmer, Sampson serves as president of the university's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), sits on the Mid-American Conference's Council of Student-Athletes, all while pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering.

"I think I thrive on being busy," Sampson said. "I love to be busy."

Sampson's drive to excel academically has always been a part of her personality. Back in high school, she was once faced with the decision to either compete in an important swim meet or attend a prestigious science camp; she chose the science camp.  "That was the first time that I missed a big swim meet because of academics," she said.

It should come as no surprise that when Sampson was looking at where to attend college, academics were right at the top of her list. After attending the camp, hosted by the American Society of Materials, Sampson knew she wanted to study engineering. Luckily for her, a great school with a top-notch engineering program was just a couple hours away from her hometown.

"I've always been a very academic-minded person," Sampson said, "and the Toledo swimming and diving team shared a lot of the same academic goals that I had. I knew that I would be able to succeed athletically and academically with that group of people."

Her choice of schools and swimming programs has paid off. Sampson and her teammates posted a combined grade point average of 3.742 during the 2020 spring semester and the team has earned Scholar All-America honors from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) each semester since she joined the team in the fall of 2017.

"Emma has been a great example of balancing a life of athletics with rigorous academics," said head swimming and diving coach Brie Globig. "Her commitment to both makes her a phenomenal representative of Toledo Athletics and the MAC. Emma will go on to have a great impact in her next endeavor after her time at Toledo."

Sampson credits the team's focus on academics for making it easier to excel in the classroom.

"I would say we have a very academic social system as a team," Sampson said. "Before this semester, I could always find teammates in the library studying or working on homework. It helped to be able to get work done while also being social with my teammates. We all really care about our academics, so we have this huge support system."

Outside of the pool and the classroom, Sampson was elevated to SAAC president this year after serving as vice president last year and the event coordinator the year before. SAAC is a student-athlete organization that provides team representation to the athletic department and input on athletic department policy and programming.

"I do think we have something really special here at the University of Toledo in the athletic department," Sampson said. "You can see it in our academic success year after year and the number of student-athletes who are really involved in the community. Leading that group is such an honor."

"Emma is one of the most dedicated student-athletes I have ever met. She always strives to improve the student-athlete population and experience," said SAAC advisor Jillian Lehman, who is also an academic coordinator with Toledo's student-athlete academic services team. "Emma is on the SAAC board for the MAC as well, and we are so lucky to have her as a voice for Rocket Nation. I cannot think of anyone better to have represent us and be our leader as SAAC president."

A two-time Academic All-MAC selection, Sampson carries a cumulative 3.85 grade point average in the College of Engineering. This summer she was offered a co-op position with Dura Magnetics, Inc. in Sylvania, a full-time position from May through August in which she has continued to work since school started.

One of the reasons Sampson picked the University of Toledo was because of the outside opportunities that were provided to gain real-life work experience in her desired field. Now that she has taken advantage of one of those opportunities, she is even more grateful for her decision to become a Rocket.

"I know that the hard classes I've taken and the work I have put into my academics is worth it because I love the field that I'm entering into," Sampson said. "Having that real-world experience was invaluable."

After graduation, Sampson hopes to find an engineering position somewhere near the Toledo area, saying that her time as a Rocket has helped her fall in love with the Glass City.

"I'm ready to pour all the passion I have for being a student-athlete into my career and whatever company I'm working for," she said. "I'm so used to giving my full effort to whatever I'm pursuing, so I'm excited to devote that time to something that I'm really passionate about."



Previous Stories About Academic and Community Achievements of Rocket Student-Athletes
Sept. 17 - Alex Kelker Follows Fast Track to Graduate School
Sept. 15 - Spencer Littleson Using Business Classes to Prepare for Coaching Career
Sept. 10 - Ashton Cassel and Betsy Lueck Perfecting Nursing Craft with Rockets            
Sept. 4 - Chloee Kleespies is Driven to Help Other Diabetic Athletes
Sept. 1 - Stephanie Sherman Follows New Course to Surprising Career Path
Aug. 27 - Amelia Lee Programming Herself for Future Success
Aug. 25 - Competition Breeds Success for Mariah Copeland
Aug. 21 - Eileen Carney Gets Her Teeth into Student-Athlete Experience
Aug. 18 - Bryce Harris Followed His Heart to Find a Career Path