Tanya Sam Inspires FAU College of Nursing Students During Black History Month Program

February 22, 2022

Oncology nurse and tech mogul Tanya Sam joined Dean Safiya George in an interactive forum to share her journey and experiences with students from the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing as part of Florida Atlantic University’s month-long celebration of Black History Month.

Students filled the college’s Atrium on the Boca Raton campus to listen to the tech professional discuss her insights on nursing, entrepreneurship, professional development and career transition as well as respond to student questions.

“Don’t put yourself in a box,” Sam said. “It’s okay to have different interests.”

“I really enjoyed hearing about her journey,” said Rebecca Lamothe, first semester Working Professional BSN student. “I liked hearing that she found her niche.”

Sophomore and Freshman Direct student Shayla Edwards said she “was glad to hear that we have different options.”

Several students asked Sam how it was possible to blend nursing and technology.

“Sometimes the tiniest idea can spark change,” Sam said. “But don’t feel like you have to save the world every day.”

Sam is passionate about creating pathways to bring more women and minorities into business and technology and aims to inspire and uplift young black women to be unapologetically themselves.

Since 2016, TechSquare Labs has invested more than $300 million in venture capital, generating more than $100 million in revenue. She is currently the host of the TV docu-reality series “Making of a Mogul,” dedicated to highlighting successful entrepreneurs in the black, brown and Latin communities. Sam also was a featured cast member on the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” for seasons 11-13.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in genetics and cell biology from McGill University and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from The University of Toronto. Sam has practiced nursing for more than a decade in some of the top oncology hospitals in Toronto, New York and Atlanta including Princess Margaret Hospital, Northside Hospital and New York Presbyterian.

Dean George thanked Sam for her candid remarks and for giving students nuggets of wisdom and inspiration to help them meet their goals.

View the photos from the event here.