Episode Overview

Podcast: We Are For Good
Episode: 686 – "Learn, Serve, Explore: How Students of Service Is Shaping the Next Generation of Global Leaders"
Guest: Amir Samandi, Founder & Executive Director of Students of Service (SOS)
Date: February 25, 2026
Hosts: Jon McCoy & Becky Endicott

This episode spotlights Amir Samandi and Students of Service (SOS), an organization that empowers young people in San Antonio to become global citizens through local service and international experiential learning. The conversation traces Amir’s heritage and personal journey, explores the founding and evolution of SOS, dissects its impact and philosophy, and offers advice for nonprofit founders and leaders, all while emphasizing the transformative power of service—both at home and abroad.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Amir Samandi’s Background and Inspiration

Personal & Cultural Roots

• Amir’s father is Persian Iranian (immigrated before the revolution; U.S. Air Force connection), and his mother is Texan of Mexican-American heritage—anchoring Amir in South Texas culture (03:00).
• Grew up between Houston and the Rio Grande Valley, later moving to San Antonio for college at St. Mary’s University.
• Tacos and Tex-Mex are cited lightheartedly as his "love language" (04:06).

Study Abroad’s Lasting Impact

• A flyer at university for a London study abroad program changed his life, shaping not only how he saw the world but also himself (04:13–05:12).
• Still maintains a strong connection with Dr. Lawrence Scott, his roommate from that London trip.

Notable Quote:

“It changed how I saw the world, but more importantly, it changed how I saw myself.” (04:13, Amir Samandi)

2. Founding and Evolution of SOS

Genesis of the Program

• After college, Amir worked at the U.S. State Department, but was drawn to the idea of helping more Americans experience the world.
• Attempted to start SOS at 25, but was dismissed due to his youth and lack of resources. He refocused on teaching sixth-grade world geography in a low-income, majority-Latino school (05:58–07:30).

‘Sliding Door’ Moment in the Classroom

• A student’s curiosity about the Eiffel Tower threw open the opportunity:

  “Sir, what is that?” (his student, reacting to a picture of the Eiffel Tower)

• When told she could visit, the class was electrified. This birthed the idea of creating a nonprofit to facilitate such travel opportunities for students (07:55).

Grassroots Startup

• Lacked funding for nonprofit setup, so turned to GoFundMe and raised $2,000 in four days from his kitchen—which enabled the organization’s official start (08:54).
• Since 2014: more than 600 students taken to 22 countries; over 100,000 service hours in San Antonio.

Notable Quote:

"Those donations—every single one, or just the kind word—all of that mattered." (00:02 & 16:21, Amir Samandi)

3. The SOS Model & Student Impact

Core Philosophy: Learn, Serve, Explore

• SOS starts with community service, then expands students’ worldviews through international travel (01:04–01:50).
• The program’s layered approach aims to turn students into confident, empathetic global citizens.

Alumni Stories and Capacity Building

• Alumni now in their 20s, many college graduates, and three serve on SOS’s board—a testament to enduring impact (10:04).
• Story of Christian “Chex” Valerio—first in his family to attend college, got a full ride to Notre Dame, credits SOS for his confidence and vision (10:56–12:41).

Notable Quote:

“He sent me this picture with his SOS shirt on. And he said that this is what made it possible, that it was his SOS experience helped him to get there.” (11:35, Amir Samandi)

Volunteer-driven Expansion

• Adult volunteers (parents, teachers, community, corporate partners) crucial to scaling, with 10–15 service events a month and 150 youth volunteers on average (12:41).
• Amir was a volunteer executive director for 8 years before SOS could pay a full-time staff (13:10).

4. The Heart and Urgency of the Mission

Cultivating the Leaders the World Needs

• SOS’s focus: equipping teenagers with empathy, perspective, teamwork, and agency to become hopeful, capable leaders (13:53).
• “Learn, Serve, Explore” positioned as a mantra for community transformation—akin to “Eat, Pray, Love” for personal journeys.

Notable Quote:

"I think we’re building the leaders that the world needs right now." (13:53, Amir Samandi)

Lessons on Pace, Trust, and Founder Resilience

• Advice for nonprofit founders:

  "Courage is not the absence of fear. It’s acting despite the fear… If you believe in your mission, trust the process, do the work. And it’s not going to be easy." (00:02 & 16:21)

• Importance of surrounding yourself with encouragers and supporters; the value of community (16:21–17:10).

5. Organizational Clarity & Decision-Making

Alignment for Sustainability

• SOS’s two guiding questions for every opportunity:
  1. Is this good for kids?
  2. Is it sustainable? (17:37–18:59)

Notable Quote:

“You can ask my team, what are the two questions that you guys have to weigh every decision against? Number one, is it good for kids? Number two, is it sustainable?” (18:52, Amir Samandi)

6. Lessons Learned from Students

Humble Transformation

• Amir describes being impacted by his students’ optimism, drive, and lack of cynicism. Their perspectives serve as an antidote to adult skepticism (19:33).

Notable Quote:

"I think that’s the biggest antidote to cynicism, is being around young people." (19:33, Amir Samandi)

7. Memorable Philanthropy & Student Leadership

‘Make It Happen’ Program

• Students design projects to benefit their communities, learning budgeting and project management.
• Example: Tiana, who led a campaign to send support to Flint, Michigan during the water crisis (20:29–22:08).
• Emphasizes the ripple effect of care and generosity.

Notable Quote:

"Just to show them and to show the world like we care. Right? People care. I think that's what people want to see when they're going hard times." (21:29, Amir Samandi)

8. Final Reflections & One Good Thing

Amir’s Closing Mantra

• Uplifting others is at the core of lasting impact:

  "Elevate the people around you to be their best selves. And that makes the world a better place." (23:03, Amir Samandi)

• Best way to connect: sossanantonio.org, LinkedIn for both Amir and SOS (23:42).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Courage is not the absence of fear. It’s acting despite the fear.” (00:02, 16:21, Amir Samandi)
• “It changed how I saw the world, but more importantly, it changed how I saw myself.” (04:13, Amir Samandi)
• “We’re building the leaders that the world needs right now.” (13:53, Amir Samandi)
• "Community is everything." (17:10, Host Becky Endicott echoed by Amir)
• “Elevate the people around you to be their best selves. And that makes the world a better place.” (23:03, Amir Samandi)
• “Is this good for kids? Is it sustainable?” (18:52, ethos guiding SOS decisions)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02 – Amir reflects on courage and community for nonprofit founders
• 03:00–04:13 – Personal heritage and early influences
• 05:12–05:58 – Life-changing study abroad experience
• 06:58–08:54 – Teaching experience and the “field trip” moment sparking SOS
• 10:04–13:10 – Alumni impact, volunteer scale-up, and transition to full-time
• 13:53 – On building globally-minded leaders and scaling the model
• 16:21–17:10 – Advice for founder resilience and value of encouragement
• 17:37–18:59 – Decision-making: “Is it good for kids? Is it sustainable?”
• 19:33 – What students have taught Amir
• 20:29–22:08 – Philanthropy in action: Make It Happen and Tiana’s Flint project
• 23:03 – One Good Thing: Elevating others
• 23:42 – Where to find SOS online

Takeaways

• Experiential learning through service and travel transforms not just students’ worldviews but their sense of self and agency.
• The commitment and resilience of founders—and their ability to trust the process—is essential for mission-based work.
• Community is not just a value, but the true infrastructure for nonprofit success and sustainability.
• Empowering young leaders, listening for “what’s good for kids,” and focusing on sustainability guide organizational success.
• Philanthropy and volunteerism are reciprocal—impact multiplies when leadership passes from one generation to the next.
• Uplifting the people around you is a powerful force for collective betterment.

Connect with SOS:
Website: sossanantonio.org
LinkedIn: Students of Service SOS & Amir Samandi

Tone: Uplifting, community-oriented, and deeply rooted in personal narrative and practical insight.