Sam Kokkinos
Facilitator
Sam is a first generation college graduate, hailing from St. Paul, MN. She completed her Bachelor of Arts from the University of St. Thomas with a double major in Spanish Linguistics and Justice and Peace Studies, with a minor in American Cultural studies. Due to her profound interest for immigrant rights, she chose to study abroad in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. She is a proud alumni of Centers for Global Education and Experience’s (Augsburg College) study abroad program, Migration and Globalization: Engaging in Our Communities. Sam returned to graduate from her university and then returned to Mexico soon after to work as a part of her beloved study abroad program. After many years of traveling back and forth, Sam ended up back in Minnesota to become a certified English Language tutor through the Minnesota Literacy Council, and has taught various immigrants and refugees at The International Institute of Minnesota and The Wellstone Center. Sam is fluent in Spanish and is currently working on learning the Greek language. Sam is enthusiastic to start her youth work as a Bilingual Facilitator with Project Success!
Favorite musicians:
Reik, Mana, Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Whitney Houston, Selena Quintanilla, Frank Ocean, Daddy Yankee, Julieta Venegas, Bomba Estéreo, Café Tacvba, Rhye
If you had to pick a theme song that would play every time you entered the room, what would it be?
“Bidi bidi bom bom” by Selena Quintanilla or “Danza Kuduro” by Don Omar
Favorite books:
Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paolo Fiere, Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
Favorite movies:
Zootopia, Selena, Hercules, Drumline, My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Favorite food:
Cucumbers and Tacos al Pastor
Favorite quote:
“How many times life has seemed too steep a hill to climb? How many times has the hill disappeared like the mist…?” – Alice Walker
Favorite subject in school:
Spanish, History & Biology
Favorite theater experience:
I was voted to be Lady MacBeth in the 8th grade. I screamed the entire performance.
Your ultimate vacation destination:
Central Mexico & Crete, Greece
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation; Healing Factor
The most influential person in your life/favorite teacher or mentor:
Antonio Ortega, one of my professors from study abroad…Antonio is profoundly brilliant, thoughtful, resilient & extraordinary for endless reasons. He is who I aspire to be most like in the future.
What you wanted to be when you grew up:
A zoologist, a music producer, a television weather reporter and an immigration lawyer