Samford University is excited to welcome Gelaina Allen as the new director of Parent and Family Engagement. Tanya Hindman, assistant director of the department, recently sat down with Allen and asked some questions to give the Samford community a glimpse into her story and what she is looking forward to.
How long have you lived in Birmingham?
We’ve lived in Birmingham for about a year and a half, but Samford has been part of our family from the beginning. As Samford grads, and because we visited our Samford students here so often, It feels like we finally came home.
Tell us about your family.
We are a Samford family through and through! My husband and I met at Samford, and over the years it has become such a meaningful part of our family story. We are three-time Samford parents. Our son, Myres, graduated in 2022 with a degree in economics and married his wife, Claire, who is a two-time Samford graduate. Our daughter, Ansley, graduated in 2024, recently married Conner Denny, and is finishing her counseling degree at Beeson Divinity School. And our youngest daughter, Chloe, is a rising junior majoring in 3D Animation and Game Design. Samford has truly shaped our family in so many special ways.
We often ask parents to share their "Samford story" and how their student chose our university. So, what brought you to Samford?
When I was growing up in Gulfport, Mississippi, all my pastors were Samford graduates, so Samford was part of my story long before I ever stepped foot on campus. My first visit came when I was 14 years old and my family brought my sister to campus to begin her freshman year. I still remember arriving at Samford and thinking that I couldn’t wait to be a student here myself!
Several years later, both my husband and I attended Samford, and it became a foundational part of our own story. Our children grew up hearing Samford stories around the dinner table, attending events on campus and spending time on campus with us. By the time they started their college search, Samford already felt like a second home.
What drew us—and what ultimately drew each of our children—was the unique combination of academic excellence, authentic community, and a Christ-centered mission that invests in students academically, personally and spiritually. While each of our children found their own path and created their own Samford experience, they all discovered the same sense of belonging that first drew our family here. Today, Samford is more than our alma mater; it has become part of our family's legacy.
You have served in a volunteer role with Samford Parents Association and Parent Advisory Board for several years. Tell us about that experience.
Serving with the Samford Parents Association and Parent Advisory Board has been such a rewarding experience. As a parent, you naturally want to stay connected and support not only your own student, but the entire Samford community. I’ve loved getting to encourage other parents, help welcome new families and partner with the university in meaningful ways. It has also given me a deeper appreciation for how much Samford genuinely cares about students and families. There’s a real sense of partnership between the university and parents, and that has meant so much to me over the years.
You’ve worked in Student Affairs at Samford since the beginning of 2025. What has been your favorite part of working at Samford?
Let me just say that after a year and a half, I still don't take this beautiful campus for granted. There are days when I walk across campus and have to pinch myself that I actually get to work here! I like to tell people that the new car smell still hasn’t worn off!
But more than the beautiful setting, my favorite part of working at Samford is the people. From dedicated staff members and caring faculty to incredible students and engaged parents, the Samford community is filled with people who genuinely care about one another. There's a shared sense of purpose here that is special, and it's a joy to be part of a community that is so committed to helping students grow academically, personally and spiritually.
What are you looking forward to as the director of Parent and Family Engagement?
I’m really looking forward to building relationships with families and helping them feel connected to the Samford community from the very beginning. As a Samford parent, I understand the excitement, pride and even the nerves that come with sending your student to college. I want parents and families to know they are an important part of the Samford experience, and I’m excited to help create opportunities for them to stay informed, engage and encouraged throughout their student’s journey.
Since we have a lot of parents who are new to the Birmingham food scene, tell us where your family loves to eat.
Before we moved here, we never missed a chance to eat at Taco Mama. But, because we are trying to get to know the city, we decided to eat our way through the alphabet. Abhi, Bayonet, Chez Fonfon…. I’ll keep y’all updated on our favorites!
Time for “Gelaina’s Favorites!”
Favorite Samford Tradition:
Step Sing—there's simply nothing else like it! The talent, creativity, energy, and school spirit make it one of the most uniquely Samford experiences.
Favorite Samford Sport:
Men's Basketball! My husband and I rarely miss a game. There's nothing quite like cheering on the Bulldogs with friends and family.
Favorite Samford Event:
Family Weekend, without a doubt! It gives parents a front-row seat to the life their student has built at Samford. I love getting to see all the things my student is involved in, meeting the friends who have become family, and experiencing campus through their eyes. There's nothing better than enjoying dinner on the Quad, attending a great concert, cheering at a football game and soaking in the incredible sense of community that makes Samford so special. Family Weekend captures the very best of the Samford experience.
Favorite Samford Hang-out Spot:
Outside, I love Ben Brown Plaza. It's the perfect place to sit, visit with friends and enjoy a beautiful Birmingham day. Inside, the Parent Commons is one of my favorite spaces on campus because it always seems to lead to meaningful conversations and connections.
Favorite Samford Memory:
There are so many that it's hard to choose just one! But one that will always stay with me happened during our first Family Weekend as Samford parents. It was only 21 days after we dropped off our oldest son, Myres. As we walked across campus, student after student called out, "Hey, Myres!" Seeing him surrounded by friends and feeling so at home reassured me that he had found his place. As a mom, there was no greater gift than knowing my son belonged here.
