Sam Penrod teaches photojournalism as an adjunct faculty member. He has spent his career in media and communications, beginning at age 14 as a paper boy for the Provo Daily Herald. He was hired when he turned 16 as a disc jockey at KMTI Radio in his hometown of Manti, Utah, where he worked during high school and college. He is a graduate of Snow College and earned a B.A. in Broadcast Communications from Brigham Young University in 1997.
An internship at KSL-TV during his senior year led to a full‑time position when he graduated, where he spent 23 years as a producer and reporter, including work in the combined KSL.com and Deseret News newsroom. His 20 years as a reporter provided a wide range of opportunities to tell the stories of people throughout Utah and to travel on multiple international assignments.
Since 2020, he has worked for the Communication Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in media relations.
An avid photographer, Sam enjoys photographing sports, community events, and—much to the dismay of his three children—capturing photos of them. He is married to the former Holly Dyreng, and they reside in Utah County.