Motivated by an innate interest in politics and foreign relations, Dorothy M. Sampas dedicated more than four decades to the U.S. government. She started her journey as a city editor at The Michigan Daily and a registered lobbyist at The Michigan Legislature, and then advanced to become a member of the Bureau of Public Affairs in the U.S. Department of State, a vice-consul for the United States Consulate General in Hamburg, Germany, and a consultant for the Transcentury Corporation. Over the years, Dr. Sampas garnered a reputation for her passion and professionalism, propelling her to positions like analyst in the Bureau of Administration, division and deputy chief in the Office of Position and Pay Management, and director and division chief in the Office of Management in the U.S. Department of State. Some of her other roles have included general services officer in the United States Embassy in Belgium, embassy minister-counselor in the Embassy of the United States in Beijing, China, minister-counselor to the United States Mission to the United Nations, and American ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. She retired in 1997.
To prepare for her endeavors, Dr. Sampas earned a PhD from Georgetown University in 1970 and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan in 1955, as well as certificates from the National War College and the Defense Resource Management Institute at the Naval Postgraduate School. She furthered her education by completing postgraduate coursework at the University of Paris.
In recognition of her efforts, Dr. Sampas was featured in numerous editions of Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Politics, Who’s Who in the East, Who’s Who in the World, and Who’s Who of American Women. She was also admitted to the Cosmos Club, a “private social club for men and women distinguished in science, literature and the arts, a learned profession or public service.” Among all her accolades, however, she is most proud of her role in bringing countries closer together.
When Dr. Sampas has free time, she enjoys reading and theatre.
