Samantha Thole’s path to a career in long-term care began as part of a ninth-grade civics assignment aimed at understanding the importance of community involvement and civic responsibility. Then 14, she chose to volunteer at Presbyterian Homes, a senior living community that offers different levels of care. One of her primary activities: teaching the residents to play Wii Bowling.
“Looking back on that experience, I realize it really challenged and changed how I thought about older adults and aging,” says Samantha. “Before volunteering, I probably held some of the common assumptions that many young people do, that older adults are fragile, not very active and uninterested in new things like technology.”
Her perspective shifted as the game brought out the residents' personalities and revealed how "curious, funny, competitive and engaged" they were.
“I began to understand that aging doesn’t take away someone’s ability to have fun, connect with others or even try something new.”
That formative experience fueled Samantha’s desire to build a career focused on the well-being of older adults. After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees, she continued building her expertise by earning a Long Term Care (LTC) Management Certificate from the University of Minnesota. The certificate helped prepare her to pursue licensure from the Minnesota Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Support. In January 2026, Samantha became a licensed nursing home administrator and licensed assisted living director.
Samantha is now administrator of The Gardens, part of The Episcopal Homes of Minnesota (EHM). She credits her education with giving her the knowledge and confidence to pursue the career she envisioned.
“Education means something different to everyone, but for me, it has been about growth, confidence and opportunity.”
From Potential to Purpose
Samantha had worked for only a few months as a receptionist at Sholom Senior Living when she accepted an internship in the accounting department, which soon led to a full-time accounting position.
“But I knew my potential, and I knew I could do more,” she says.
Her supervisor saw that potential, too. An administrator at Sholom who had completed the University’s LTC Management Certificate herself, she encouraged Samantha to enroll.
After successfully completing the certificate, Samantha prepared for licensure and was promoted to campus assistant administrator at Sholom.
Learning to Lead
Samantha’s experience in the LTC Management Certificate program quickly moved beyond textbooks and lectures. In Long-Term Care Human Resources Management, one of her favorite courses, she got a chance to step into the middle of a workplace investigation.
“Since Human Resources was an area where I had the least experience, I felt like I gained a lot of valuable knowledge.
“What I enjoyed most was the simulation exercise we did as our end-of-year project. We worked in groups, and each person took on a specific role in an employee investigation case study. It was fascinating to see the situation unfold from so many different perspectives, and the interaction among the group made the experience a lot of fun.”
That hands-on experience gave Samantha more than a new perspective on human resources. It gave her practical skills she could carry directly into her work as a leader in long-term care. The LTC Management Certificate combines this kind of applied learning with the knowledge needed to pursue licensure and leadership in long-term services and supports.
“These courses have been incredibly valuable in providing me with the knowledge needed to excel in my position. I feel empowered to make a meaningful contribution and positively impact my organization, and it's been rewarding to apply what I've learned to improve the care and services we provide,” says Samantha.
For Samantha, the education was made more accessible through a LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation Scholarship and financial support from Sholom, which helped cover her first semester. Sholom also covered her second semester.
“Overall, the program helped me take a balcony view, see the bigger picture, and be better prepared to support both residents and staff.”
Putting Leadership Into Practice
Samantha didn’t have to wait until she became an administrator to start putting her leadership skills to work. During her seven-month LeadingAge Minnesota Leadership Academy fellowship, she tackled a pressing issue in long-term care: retaining employees and building a workplace where people want to stay.
A key part of the fellowship, the Action Learning Project gave participants an opportunity to put leadership concepts and skills into practice within their own organizations. At Sholom, Samantha worked alongside other leaders on a project focused on employee retention and workplace culture, exploring what keeps employees engaged, what contributes to turnover and how the organization could create a more supportive environment. The experience gave her a firsthand look at how thoughtful leadership and collaboration can shape an organization from the inside out.
“Employee retention is directly tied to Sholom’s culture, and every conversation and initiative contributes to building a stronger, more engaged team and sense of community,” Samantha reflects.
“Samantha is a great example of servant leadership in action,” says Sholom Administrator Megan Seelos. “She leads by example, isn't afraid to roll up her sleeves alongside the team and consistently puts the needs of residents and others first.”
Changing the Conversation: A Broader View
As Samantha approaches her first anniversary as Administrator of The Gardens, a 60-bed skilled nursing facility within The Episcopal Homes of Minnesota, she’s already thinking beyond the day-to-day demands of her role. In 2025, The Gardens earned U.S. News & World Report’s highest “High Performing” rating for both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care.
But for Samantha, leadership doesn’t stop at the doors of her facility. She wants to help change how people understand LTC and the people who live and receive care in these settings.
Her perspective has come a long way since that ninth-grade civics assignment. At 14, she initially viewed older adults through some of the same assumptions she challenges today. Now, she sees an opportunity to help reshape the systems and policies that influence their care.
“The common misconceptions are that long-term care is only for the very old or terminally ill and that facilities are sad and institutional,” she says. “To those misconceptions I say that nursing homes support a diverse group of people, including those with needs associated with short-term rehab, memory care, chronic illness or disabilities. But many of them live active lives for years in their senior services setting. The goal of long-term care is to enhance quality of life not just provide end-of-life care.”
Looking ahead, Samantha hopes to contribute to policy development at the state or national level, advocating for better funding, reform and other changes that can strengthen aging services. Eventually, she would like to serve in a regional or executive leadership role or work with an organization such as LeadingAge Minnesota that shapes aging care on a broader scale.
“If I had not enrolled in the University’s LTC Management program, I believe my career path would have looked different.”
“Overall, the value of this education has been the personal and professional growth it has given me. It has helped me become a stronger leader and opened doors that may not have been available otherwise.”
Samantha is the recipient of a LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation Scholarship.
Anastasia Faunce is a writer and content strategist with the College of Continuing and Professional Studies, where she covers pre-college, ESL, long-term care, applied undergraduate degree programs and alumni and development initiatives. A former director of several CCAPS programs, she previously served as director of public relations for the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and continues to collaborate regularly with artists and designers. Connect with her via LinkedIn.
