Heidi Sampson

Dr. Heidi Sampson is an Adjunct Professor in the English department at Minnesota State University (MNSU), Mankato, while also working in communications and public relations for a religious, social justice nonprofit. She recently completed her academic journey by earning a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change from Antioch University in 2024.

Her academic background includes a diverse educational path with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Creative Writing and Gender and Women's Studies from MNSU, followed by a Master of Fine Arts with concentration in Poetry and Nonprofit Leadership from the same institution, and culminating with both a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Leadership and Change from Antioch University.

Dr. Sampson's research focuses on the intersection of leadership, gender studies, and social justice, with particular emphasis on single motherhood experiences within patriarchal structures. Her work examines how misogyny, hegemonic masculinity, and institutional barriers impact divorced single mothers who have experienced intimate partner violence. Through contextual autoethnography, she explores the connections between personal trauma and broader societal patterns, analyzing how institutions including religious organizations, legal systems, and social services create unnecessary burdens for single mothers.

Her sole academic publication to date, her 2024 dissertation, represents a significant contribution to understanding the complex interplay between personal trauma and systemic oppression. The work combines personal narrative with analysis of societal structures, legal statutes, and historical contexts of misogyny, creating a multidimensional examination of single motherhood in contemporary society.

While no formal advising relationships or research grants are documented in the available information, Dr. Sampson's work bridges academic research and practical social justice applications through her nonprofit communications role. Her unique position allows her to connect scholarly insights with real-world advocacy efforts focused on gender equity and support for vulnerable populations.