Runner and dancer Samantha Luba ’26 aims to help others as an athletic trainer 

Samantha at the starting line taking off to sprint the 60 meter hurdle race on an indoor track.
Competing in the 60 meter hurdles, the first of 5 events in the Indoor Pentathlon, at the Birmingham Crossplex. That’s me with #2.

Majors: Public Health and Dance Studies

From: Frontier High School, NY

Best experiences in college?

I have had so many incredible opportunities and experiences throughout my time at Nazareth, both academically and athletically. One of the most incredible athletic experiences I had was getting to compete at the NCAA D3 Indoor Track and Field National Championships in Birmingham, Alabama, in March 2026. I had such an awesome time, and it was a surreal experience getting to compete with the best athletes in the country.

I have also gotten to travel to Orlando and Daytona, Florida, for UDA and NDA National Dance Competitions with the Dance Team. We not only got to perform and compete on the biggest stages in dance, but also watch some incredibly talented dancers from across the country. 

A group of friends standing together outside by the water posing and smiling together for a picture
My fellow ensemble dancers and I after our performance choreographed by Cecilia Whalen during the fall 2025 semester.

Academically, I had an incredible internship at the Genesee County Health Department in the summer of 2025, where I worked closely with epidemiologists on a Community Health Assessment. 

In the dance world, I have gotten to perform in many different spaces, including on the Callahan stage on campus, in the village of Pittsford, at the Rochester Fringe Festival, and even in a flash mob at the City of Rochester Public Market.

Nazareth dance team competing on stage in Orlando wearing flowy purple costumes and holding a synchronized pose.
On stage at the Universal Dance Association College Nationals at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, in January 2025 with the 2024-2025 Nazareth Dance Team.

What’s next after Naz?

I am attending the University at Buffalo to get my master’s in Athletic Training.

What are you most looking forward to in your life’s work?

I am most looking forward to working with athletes and performers and helping them get back on their feet after an injury. Nazareth has allowed me to participate in many different athletic teams and disciplines, as well as shadow our athletic trainers, which has given me a multitude of experiences and opportunities to learn from going into my professional career.

Samantha wearing a Nazareth Dance Team sweatshirt taking a selfie on a beach with a bright orange and yellow sunrise in the back.
Sunrise on Myrtle Beach during spring break 2026!

What lessons will you take with you from your Nazareth years?

I have learned many lessons during my time at Nazareth. The most important one that has helped me is learning that I need to have discipline and keep myself organized in order to succeed in my work. I am a chronic procrastinator, and as someone with an incredibly busy schedule, it can be hard managing everything all at once. Developing an organizational system that works for me using my calendar, a spreadsheet, and my notes app has allowed me to stay on top of my assignments, responsibilities, and even my eating habits with meal prepping. I use the deadlines I give myself in my calendar as a way to hold myself accountable so everything can get done on time.

Who’s had a great impact on you?

I have had the very fortunate opportunity to work with so many incredible faculty and staff members while I've been at Nazareth, and it is hard to pinpoint just one individual who has greatly impacted me. Dr. Mary Maher from the public health department and Heather Roffe from the dance department have both impacted me in varying ways. Dr. Maher is my public health advisor and has not only taught some of my integral public health classes, but has also given me the opportunity to intern with the Genesee County Health Department, which was an incredible experience. She was also super informative and supportive about grad school, and was very interested in my role as a dancer within the public health community. She has been so supportive and is a very knowledgeable woman, and I appreciate her guidance and help so much. 

Heather Roffe is my advisor for my dance major. She is such an incredible woman who has so much knowledge and experience within the dance world. Getting to learn from her and work with her has been an incredible opportunity. She is one of the busiest people I know, as she organizes and oversees so many different projects simultaneously, and I look up to her for her organizational and leadership skills. 

I also met some of my best friends here at Nazareth. I could not have asked for better people to go through my undergraduate experience with.