Dr. Samantha Haviland is a 9th Grade Success Coach and an education leader and advocate dedicated to helping all students succeed by expanding opportunities and strengthening the systems that support them. As a former school counselor and district-level leader, she has experience in K–12 education, mental health, college and career readiness, and public policy, she has led initiatives that improve student outcomes and create lasting change.

During her career in Denver Public Schools, Sam helped increase graduation rates by 17% over a decade, contributing to the four highest graduation rates in district history. She expanded college credit opportunities that save families an estimated $20 million in tuition each year, aligned Career and Technical Education programs with workforce needs, and expanded school counseling services to ensure students had the access to support they needed. She is passionate about the impact that education has on a community and has a particular passion for education law and policy.

Sam is a Colorado native and loves spending time with her dogs, traveling, and enjoying time with her family and friends. In high school, Sam always loved to be active and filled her time with sports, speech, volunteering and friends. She knew she wanted to be a school counselor from a young age thanks to job shadows provided by family members.