Dr. Samuel Odom
Professor, Author & Veteran
Dr. Samuel Odom is a professor, author, combat veteran, military scholar and thought leader. With more than two and a half decades of practice and leadership in the military, public health, social work and higher education, Sam has built, led, and promoted diverse teams with cultural humility and extensive organizational skills and value in both the military and the academy. Sam is a clinically trained, licensed pracademic in Louisiana. Sam currently serves in leadership roles in the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Professor Odom is the Director of the Graduate Certificate in Military Social Work at Simmons University School of Social Work.
Sam grew up in Brewton, Alabama. He is married to Shellene W. Odom, a 30-year Veteran of the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). They have two children, Brittany and Taylor.
Professional Experience
Before joining Simmons University, Sam served four years as an Assistant Professor of Social Work (tenure-track) at the Millie M. Charles School of Social Work where he taught across the curriculum. Sam is a member of the Mayor’s Military Advisory Committee, City of New Orleans, Crisis Intervention Strategy Taskforce, City of New Orleans and the New Orleans East Hospital Board of Commissioners.
Prior to that, over a span of two and a half decades, Sam held numerous leadership roles of increased responsibility as a Medical Service Commissioned Officer in the United States Army.
Research & Publications
Sam is the author of the book, Battlefield Behavioral Health: The Uniformed Social Work Officer in Action. Sam examines the roles and perspectives of social work officers serving in combat environments. His book communicates the experiences, challenges, strengths, and lessons learned by these officers, exploring the evolving identity and responsibilities within military social work. His book covers the history of uniformed social work, explores lived combat experiences, and examines the specific roles of social work officers in combat.