Department of Sociology

Samantha Meeker

Instructor

Curriculum Vitae

Education:

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, BS, Sociology and Psychology (2021)
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, MA, Sociology (2023)

Biography:

About Me:  My name is Sam, and I’m from St. Louis, MO.  As a two-time graduate of SIUE now teaching here, this campus has been a second home to me since my freshman year in 2016.  Though I changed directions a few times during my undergraduate studies, I ultimately earned my B.S. in Psychology and Sociology with a concentration in Diversity & Social Justice and a Spanish Language Focus in 2021.  I went on to pursue my M.A. at SIUE as well, working as a Graduate Teaching Assistant while completing my studies.  I finished my degree in 2023 with my thesis, The Impact of Race and Sociopolitical Ideology on Perceptions of Police Racial Discrimination (a mouthful, I know!).  My passion for race and criminal justice reform was born out of the influence the Black Lives Matter Movement had on me during my formative years as a teenager growing up so close to where Michael Brown lost his life, and where we’ve seen a number of BLM demonstrations ever since.  My interest in racial and broader social justice is not just academic, but is very personal to me.  I still call St. Louis home and am thrilled to still be able to say the same about SIUE after all these years.

Teaching & Research Interests: My academic interests include race and ethnicity, police reform, gender studies, social inequalities, and intersectionality.

Other Interests: I love my dogs, I love to travel, and I love good food and beer. Any place or activity that combines these things is a win for me. Find me at your local dog-friendly coffee shop or brewery!

Fall 2025 Office Hours:

Tuesdays/Thursdays 3:30-4:30 pm

Fall 2025 Courses:

• SOC 304 - Race and Ethnic Relations
• SOC 325 - Creating Social Change
• SOC 411 - Social Movements