Samantha Phillips joined the Aquinas College Dance program as Assistant Coach, bringing with her a deep passion for performance, leadership, and creative expression. A native of Wheaton, Illinois, Phillips began dancing at a young age and carried that passion through her college years at Western Michigan University, where she earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Rhetoric and Writing Studies and Spanish. While at WMU, she spent four years on the university’s dance team—serving as captain during her senior season—and helped guide the program to multiple standout performances.
Following graduation, Phillips expanded her experience both on and off the floor. She became a professional dancer for the Grand Rapids Gold Dance Team in 2023, while also working as a Content Editing Associate for UpToDate, combining her writing expertise with her attention to detail. In 2022, she furthered her professional education through the New York University Summer Publishing Institute, a prestigious graduate-level program focused on media and communications.
Now residing in Holland, Michigan, Phillips continues to balance her professional pursuits with her lifelong love of dance. She was drawn to Aquinas after hearing from alumni and members of the Grand Rapids Gold Dance Team about the strong culture and support surrounding AQ Athletics. “When the assistant dance coach position opened, I already knew Aquinas was a school that respected and supported their dance team in a way many schools don’t,” she said.
Outside of coaching and performing, Samantha enjoys reading, dancing, and traveling. At home, she’s kept company by her cat, Harley, and frequently visits her family back in Illinois, where her parents and two younger sisters still live.
