Her PhD is from the University of Utah (MA from Colorado State University, BA from Shippensburg University). Within the field of communication, Samantha focuses on rhetoric and environmental communication. She's particularly interested in how authenticity functions as a rhetorical strategy to shape humans' relationships with the natural world. Her current research investigates the connections between masculinity and perceptions of survival in outdoor recreation, how social movements can change the meaning of places, and ethnographic approaches to rhetorical analysis. When not working on a paper or preparing for class, she's probably trying out a new recipe, reading a mystery novel, or biking the hills of Omaha. For more information about Samantha and her vitae, please see her website at sendacook.wordpress.com.