Over the past 18 years, Samuel Scinta has worked in a variety of community settings — running a small business, creating an educational nonprofit, teaching at two universities and leading civic engagement efforts.
Through it all, Scinta has focused on strengthening connections between education, civic engagement and community leadership. Now, that work has earned him recognition from the students he serves most directly.
The UW-La Crosse Student Association recently named Scinta its 2025-26 Higher Education Advocate of the Year, honoring his contributions to civic education, student advocacy and community collaboration throughout the La Crosse area.
Scinta, who serves as both a political science instructor at UWL and CEO of the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce, says the recognition was unexpected.
“I was very surprised and honored when I learned of the award,” Scinta says. “It is always a humbling experience to receive recognition for one’s work.”
While he says awards are never his motivation, this recognition carried special significance because it came from students.
“As I noted in my acceptance speech, I am simply doing the work I am able to do, as each of us should do in our civic lives,” Scinta says. “This award was especially meaningful as it came from the students. It means the work I have been doing has had a positive impact on them.”
Student Association President Emma Wittman says Scinta’s influence extends beyond the classroom.
“From fostering civil dialogue through the ‘Rebuilding American Civics’ program to bridging the gap between UWL students and community foundations, Sam Scinta’s work has been instrumental in strengthening the social capital and educational landscape of the entire La Crosse area,” Wittman says.
In his role with the Chamber, Scinta says promoting higher education is part of the organization’s everyday mission.
“One of the main civic roles of the Chamber is to be an initiator of collaboration in the community,” Scinta explains. “The fact that we have three outstanding and unique institutions of higher education in our community is an incredible asset, and it is our job to connect these institutions to the business community where needed, and to advocate for these institutions in ways that help our community grow.”
That work takes many forms, from creating partnerships between colleges and businesses to developing opportunities that encourage students to stay in the region after graduation.
One recent example involved helping UWL and Western Technical College join the Corn Belt Ports Rural Logistics & Maritime Training & Education Consortium, creating new pathways for students interested in maritime careers while supporting regional economic development.
“My 16 years as an adjunct instructor at UWL have allowed me to connect with students, to learn about their vision for the community and the future, to better understand their expectations of the generations that preceded them, and to identify the areas of possible opportunity,” he says.
One classroom moment in particular reinforced the importance of building stronger bridges between students and the business community. Shortly after becoming Chamber CEO, Scinta asked students in an evening pre-law course whether they would be willing to remain in La Crosse for their careers.
“None of them raised their hands,” he says.
The students, he learned, enjoyed the community but believed there were limited career opportunities available locally.
“Now, as the Chamber CEO, I know there are jobs in a variety of fields available,” Scinta says. “The issue is that the students did not know the breadth and depth of our local business community, and so building a bridge between these worlds became a priority.”
Underlying all of Scinta’s work is a philosophy of stewardship — the belief that communities grow stronger when people invest in future generations.
“If we truly believe in this stewardship ethic, it naturally follows that we need to consistently invest in those generations that follow us — in their leadership, in ensuring that our communities are growing and thriving,” Scinta says. “We have to provide opportunities and mentorship.”
He sees teaching as one of the most important ways he can contribute.
“I learned many years ago that I have a skill in teaching and communicating,” Scinta says. “I need to use this skill to work with young people to learn, to make them feel included and to hopefully inspire them.”
For Scinta, that work is far from over.
“I will always do my best to improve the intellectual lives of young people in our community, regardless of their paths, in any way I am able,” he says. “And I will always fight to ensure young people have a place at the table, as they deserve nothing less.”
Written by UW-La Crosse University Marketing & Communications
Link to original story: https://www.uwlax.edu/news/posts/investing-in-future-leaders/