Amanda Todd, PhD supports others in deepening their connection to nature and engaging the senses through creating meaningful rituals, working with sacred spaces, and exploring contemplative practices. As a classically trained and holistically inspired geographer, her work explores the intersections of nature, cultural traditions, and spiritual practices. Learn about Amanda’s research. 

As a lecturer in Anthropology and Geography  at Coastal Carolina University, Amanda’s students come to understand how important it is to know both the physical and cultural aspects of a place and its people.  One of her most unique courses involves students designing and constructing a labyrinth for the campus community, providing a space for reflection, meditation, and contemplation.  Learn more about her academic teaching. 

Amanda regularly collaborates with the LiveWell office to offer mindfulness-based events during the academic year, where she shares the contemplative practice of labyrinth walking. Inspired by her own spiritual awakening during graduate school, she is passionate about supporting students as they explore their own spiritual paths and well-being. Through her teaching and campus service, she encourages students to engage with diverse cultures and religious traditions while gaining hands-on experience in thriving mentally, emotionally, and spiritually in today's world. 

Amanda shares a more expansive perspective in holistic education with real-world learning experiences. She’s a Veriditas-trained Labyrinth facilitator, who facilitates monthly group labyrinth walks in her community. She also teaches women Hawaiian hula and is a practitioner and trainer of Kahi Loa, a nature based energy work system with roots in Kauai. Amanda learned Reiki initially for her own well-being while in graduate school and today teaches Reiki. 

In both Kahi Loa and Reiki, Amanda teaches mindfulness, relaxation, and stress-reduction techniques to empower others in their personal well-being journeys. Drawing from her own spiritual awakening and extensive experience teaching both inside and outside the traditional classroom, she brings a holistic, lived approach to her practice. Within academia, Amanda collaborates with the Counseling and Psychological Services office to offer Reiki and meditation workshops that support student wellness and mental health. 

As an invited  speaker, Amanda shares perspectives, contemplative practices and tools that can help us navigate our busy lives. She’s often invited to speak about labyrinths and consults with organizations on building labyrinths. She’s authored a guided workbook and journal series for sacred walking in different settings and one focuses on labyrinths. She enjoys speaking with diverse groups—ranging from K-12 students to college audiences and adult community groups on Hawaiian Hula.  Invite Amanda for a talk or workshop with your group. 

Amanda earned her Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Geography from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she researched how people participate in ceremonies and rituals in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.  She explored prominent mountains and waterfalls in the region where weddings, baptisms, memorials, meditations, multi-faith spiritual activities, and indigenous rituals and group activities still occur. She has a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Geography from Appalachian State University. She received her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Natural Resources with a concentration in Soils and Water Systems from North Carolina State University. 

• View Amanda’s Curriculum Vitae (CV)