Ariana Allgood, a junior, math and psychology double major, has always had a love for all things related to time and space. And with the robust opportunities Samford provides, she has pursued these passions with purpose.

Allgood credits her love for astronomy to her father. “We frequently visited Space Center Houston, our local planetarium, and I even received a telescope for my ninth birthday,” Allgood said. “I have a lot of fond memories of us spending summers at the lake identifying stars, planets and constellations. My dad is a large inspiration to my interest in astronomy and work ethic.”

It’s no surprise that when Allgood came to Samford, she further pursued this passion. Since 2022, she has been interning at the university’s Christenberry Planetarium, one of only four in Alabama.

“The planetarium currently has over 10 interns, but when I started, I was one of three,” Allgood said. “As the previous interns graduated, my initial role expanded beyond researching and creating visuals.”

Now, she’s involved in managing shows, creating outlines and delegating tasks. Planetarium director Don Olive said she’s been a ray of sunshine and is incredibly passionate about her work at the planetarium.

“Ariana’s impact on the Christenberry Planetarium has been dynamic, both with her creative style of putting shows together, but also in her leadership by building a team of planetarium interns that work so beautifully together,” he said.

“Working at the planetarium allows me to engage my many interests,” she said. “My favorite part is making the visuals for each show. It’s fun to draw inspiration from the heavens and create a narrative that helps engage the audience.”

Allgood plans on pursuing a career in industrial/ organizational psychology, a field focused on the use of psychological practices in an organization's workforce. Her role at the planetarium has provided opportunities to gain practical insights and cultivate essential skills applicable to her future career.

“As my role has evolved, I’ve grown more confident within it,” Allgood said. “From helping train newer interns to interacting with those interested in using the planetarium as a venue, I’ve learned to be professional in interacting with others to achieve a common goal.”

This story was first published in the summer 2024 issue of Seasons magazine.