Tracy Samora is the new Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Fund. She is a former student from CSU-Pueblo, and comes now back on campus after 9 years.

PROFILE
Name: Tracy Samora
Hometown: Pueblo
Family Status: married to her college sweetheart whose name is Dan; she has two little boys at age 8 and 3
Birthday: June 2nd
Activities: loves reading; teaches aerobics class for cancer survivors; does fundraising for her sons Little League Baseball Team: “I’m a real Baseball Mom”, she said
Interests: learning new things; big interest in Baseball and follows that very closely; loves to be outside with her kids playing at the park or going to the zoo
Favorite Music: loves all types of music, big Keith Urban fan; when she is alone in the car she listens to 80’s hair bands
Favorite TV Shows: the reality show The Apprentice; America’s got talent
Favorite Movies: Twilight and West Side Story are her all time favorites
Favorite Books: Twilight series; Vampire books; professional development books
Favorite Quotes: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent” (Eleanor Roosevelt)
High school: East High School
College: 1990-1994 CSU-Pueblo; was a mass communication major; was involved with the radio station and was the first female program director
Earlier jobs: the last 9 years she worked in health care with cancer patients at the American Cancer Society and Dorcy Cancer Center at St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center

Today: What was your “dream job” when you where younger?
Tracey: “When I was a kid, I wanted to be a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, because I was a dancer; then I found out that you have to be 5’10, but I’m not.”
(Rockette is a dance group from New York City)

Today: Now you are here at CSU-Pueblo. How was your first day?
Tracy: “During my first two days I was at a conference in Denver. I’m honored that the Director sent me to that conference. It was fabulous. I’m very busy. The days go by very quickly.”

Today: Why did you come back to CSU Pueblo?
Tracy: “My previous position was funded through a grant, and the grant dollars were dwindling. It was just the perfect time to come back. I love the excitement on campus.”

Today: What were your first thoughts when you heard about the job offer?
Tracy: “I was very excited about the opportunity, so I applied. I got through the whole process with three days of interviews.”

Today: What do you expect from your new job?
Tracy:“Building support of the Alumni Association throughout the campus and community.”

Today: What do you want to accomplish at CSU Pueblo?
Tracy: “I want to grow our alumni association and the number of volunteers that we have involved. We have a huge alumni base. We have to tell their stories more often, and remind them to give something back to this institution.”

Today: What was your worst experience at CSU Pueblo, when you were a student?
Tracy: “I was actually a high school student, and took Media and Society with Glen Miller. It was very intimidating. A huge class, but I learned a lot, and I knew, that I wanted communications to become my career.”

Today: What was the best experience at CSU Pueblo, when you were a student?
Tracy: “I loved working at the radio station. It was completely student run, like it is now. There were great students, and we had fun. I made some great friends. We actually put together the very first ‘Rock on the Bricks’ concert.”

Today: What was the most embarrassing moment in your life?
Tracey: “Before we were married, my husband took me hiking, and I slid down the side of the mountain when we were hiking. I got pretty bruised, and told him: ‘Just leave me here and let the bears eat me!’ Then he carried me down the mountain.”

Today: What was the luckiest moment in your life?
Tracey: “That was my wedding, and the birth of each of my children.”

Today: When you were an animal, which one would you be and why?
Tracey: “I would be a Sunbear, because it’s small and cuddly, but it’s also able to climb and take care of itself and is independent.”

Today: Which country would you like to visit to and why?
Tracy: “I would love to go to Italy, because of the history and the beauty, and there’s good food too.”

Today: Which prominent person would you like to meet, and what which question would you ask?
Tracy: “Michelle Obama. I would ask her how she maintains her balance in being a professional woman and an active and involved parent.”

Today: Please complete the following statements

The strangest place I have ever been to…?
“…a house in Astoria, Oregon which was featured in the movie, “The Goonies”.”

I can’t live without…?
“…mexican food.”

If I were President I would…?
“…increase funding for higher education and the salaries of all teachers.”

I’m really scared of…?
“…losing all of the good things in my life. I have so much I have to be thankful for, my family and my job.”