Sam Sumer
Staff

Sam Sumner is the Director of University Outreach and Engagement at Texas Tech University,
joining the department in July 2018. In his position, Sam works under the supervision
of Associate Vice Provost John Opperman, and alongside Dr. Birgit Green. Sam's primary
duties are to assist Dr. Opperman and Dr. Green with the development of Outreach and
Engagement initiatives, and to cultivate external community partnerships in collaboration
with the Texas Tech faculty, staff, and students.
Sam has worked with community partnerships for over 25 years throughout the United
States. Prior to joining Texas Tech, Sam was the Director of Emergency Services at
the Tempe Community Action Agency where he provided direct oversight and management
for the Community Action Programs including homeless prevention and services, health
programming, food security programming, and unemployed & under-employment solutions.
Sam also served as the Homeless Programs Manager. Through his roles at Tempe Community
Action Agency, Sam partnered with Valley of the Sun United Way, various City of Tempe
Departments, and a host of area non-profits including over 40 faith-based organizations.
Sam also served as a minister in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Maryland, and Arizona. He
developed new ministries, outreach concepts, initiatives, and community partnerships
to impact the surrounding communities. Some of the partners included State Farm Insurance
Company, University of Illinois, Illinois State University, Arizona State University,
University of Utah, Metro East Homeless Commission, the City of Phoenix, Area Agency
on Aging, and the Phoenix MLK Celebration Committee.
Sam graduated from Morgan State University with a Bachelor of Arts, and acquired a
Master of Divinity from Payne Theological Seminary. He earned a Certificate in Executive
Non-Profit Leadership from the Arizona State University Lodestar Center for Philanthropy
and Nonprofit Innovation.
University Outreach & Engagement
-
Address
Texas Tech University | Drane Hall | Box 41047 -
Phone
806-742-2392 -
Email
universityoutreachandengagement@ttu.edu