About me
Samantha Knight is a first-generation mixed Palestinian American from the northwest suburbs of Chicago and a Master of Social Work candidate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology from UIUC in 2023, where she served as a Counseling Center Paraprofessional. During her undergraduate studies, Samantha volunteered at a domestic violence shelter in Cape Town, South Africa, where she witnessed the lasting impact of sexual violence on women and families. This experience sparked her interest in international human rights and global mental health. Following graduation, she worked in mobile crisis response and currently collaborates with an interdisciplinary healthcare team on a pediatric unit as a Child Life Specialist. As the youngest of three siblings, Samantha has long viewed herself as a cycle breaker, independent thinker, and advocate for social justice. Her academic and professional interests focus on the intersections of sexual violence, intergenerational trauma, mental health, and the Arab diaspora. She is passionate about creating healing spaces for women of color, amplifying survivor voices, and advancing culturally responsive approaches to care. Samantha hopes her work and authenticity encourage greater representation and engagement from Palestinian communities in conversations surrounding mental health, healing, and collective liberation.
