Student Outreach & Support Team (SOS)
The Student Outreach & Support Team (SOS) offers personalized outreach to students facing complex personal, academic, or social challenges. Our goal is to connect students with the right campus and community resources to help them overcome challenges and barriers. Working closely with students, faculty, staff, and campus partners, we build resilience and promote confidence and self-efficacy. Guided by the Jesuit value of Cura Personalis—care for the whole person—we provide respectful, empowering, and accessible support to ensure every student feels genuinely cared for and supported on their path to success.
SOS also leads the Behavioral Concerns Team (BCT), which addresses behaviors indicating student distress or community disruption, and the Coordinated Assistance and Resource Education (CARE) case management program, which supports students experiencing personal crises. Basic needs assistance, including access to campus food pantries, emergency housing and CARE Fund assistance, is coordinated within these programs.
Samantha Maher Sheahan, M.Ed.
Associate Dean of Students & Deputy Title IX Coordinator (She/Her)
As the Associate Dean of Students and Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Samantha provides leadership and oversight for student support services, including case management, crisis response, Title IX, and behavioral intervention. She supervises a team dedicated to supporting students facing personal, academic, and economic-related challenges, and plays a key role in the University’s basic needs support efforts. Prior to her current role, Samantha held various positions in Student Affairs at Saint Xavier University, the University of Chicago, and Loyola University Chicago, with a focus on student conduct, new student programs, student activities, and multicultural affairs. She earned her B.A. in Psychology and her M.Ed. in Education from Loyola University Chicago. Samantha is passionate about fostering an inclusive, compassionate campus environment grounded in cura personalis. She lives in the western suburbs of Chicago with her husband, a fellow Rambler and high school counselor, and their three children.
Amber Miller, M.Ed., LCPC
Assistant Dean of Students & Behavioral Concerns Team Manager (She/Her)
Amber serves as the Assistant Dean of Students & Behavioral Concerns Team Case Manager, in addition to chairing the Behavioral Concerns Team. As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Amber lends her clinical expertise to supporting students in distress, assessing risk of harm to the University community and coordinating appropriate action to ensure the safety of individual students and the University at large. Born to a family of educators, Amber started her career as a high school language arts teacher after graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia with her Bachelor of Science in Education. Recognizing that her interests went beyond the classroom, Amber completed her Master of Education in Community Counseling at Loyola University Chicago. From there, she worked as a therapist in community mental health until transitioning to higher education as the Assistant Director of Student Relations at Columbia College Chicago. Amber continues to provide therapy to individuals and couples in private practice. Amber loves to read (fiction and psychological thrillers), to stay active through exercise (dancing—she’s a former University of Missouri Golden Girl), and to spend time with friends and family.
Christopher Cook, Ed.D.
Assistant Dean of Students & CARE Case Manager (He/Him)
Dr. Christopher Cook is the Assistant Dean of Students and CARE Case Manager, dedicated to helping students navigate challenges and access resources essential for their success. An esteemed educator and leader, Dr. Cook holds a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership from Chicago State University. His dissertation, Exploring Successful Student Support Services in Higher Education for Black Males with Histories of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), highlights his commitment to advancing equity in education. With over 15 years of experience in Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Cook fosters innovation by integrating both areas to create transformative student experiences. He also serves as a strategic thought partner for the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance at the Obama Foundation and advises the Rambler Brotherhood Project at Loyola University, supporting initiatives that empower our Rambler scholars. Dr. Cook enjoys volunteering with 100 Black Men of Chicago, Inc., where he serves as Chair of the College & Scholarship Fair providing over 5000 youth access to over 250 colleges and universities, and scholarship opportunities, and he enjoys being around family and friends.
The Student Outreach & Support Team (SOS) offers personalized outreach to students facing complex personal, academic, or social challenges. Our goal is to connect students with the right campus and community resources to help them overcome challenges and barriers. Working closely with students, faculty, staff, and campus partners, we build resilience and promote confidence and self-efficacy. Guided by the Jesuit value of Cura Personalis—care for the whole person—we provide respectful, empowering, and accessible support to ensure every student feels genuinely cared for and supported on their path to success.
SOS also leads the Behavioral Concerns Team (BCT), which addresses behaviors indicating student distress or community disruption, and the Coordinated Assistance and Resource Education (CARE) case management program, which supports students experiencing personal crises. Basic needs assistance, including access to campus food pantries, emergency housing and CARE Fund assistance, is coordinated within these programs.