Samuel Odom, PhD, MPH, MSW, ACSW is an Associate Professor of Practice within the School of Social Work. Dr. Odom is a veteran leader, clinician, and military social work scholar with more than two decades of professional experience in the field of combat social work. He is the editor of Journal of Military Social Work and Behavioral Health Services: An International Journal of Theory, Practice & Research. And he is the CSWE Steering Committee Co-Chair for the CSWE Specialized Practice Guide for Military Social Work, 3rd Edition (2024), the CSWE Track Co-Chair for the Military Personnel and Veterans, First Responders, and Their Families and Communities Track.
Dr. Odom's research interests are at the intersection of international military social work, military social work, uniformed social work officers’ lived experiences including coping strategies, moral injury and behavioral health. His research efforts are broad to incorporate (a) the exploration of the military culture that leads to embracing & understanding the integration of diverse groups and (b) ameliorating the effects of military combat stress and trauma, specifically combat and deployment on service members and their family members. He is a member of the International Military Social Work Consortium Work Group and other national social work organizations designed to springboard his research interests and foster scholarly collaboration.
Areas of Expertise
- International Military Social Work
- Uniformed Social Work
- Military Social Work
- Moral Injury
- Public Health
Education
- PhD, Counseling, from Capella University Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
- MSW, Southern University at New Orleans
- MPH, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport
- BA, Philosophy, from Dillard University
Courses
- SW 710 Complex Learning Environments (DSW required course)
- SW 516 Military Social Work I: Introduction to Systems, Culture, Health, and Social Issues
- SW 517 Military Social Work II: Therapeutic Interventions within Military Cultural Context
- SW 404 Social Welfare Policy
Peer Reviewed Publications
Odom, S., Freeman, D. (2022). Moral Injury and US Army Social Work Officers Preparedness, Competency and Experiences. Journal of Social Work & Christianity.
Odom, S. (2013). The Lived Combat Experience of US Army Social Work Officers Who Themselves Endure Stress, Trauma, Psychic Burn-Out. Journal of Military and Governmental Counseling.
Selected Publications
- Council on Social Work Education & Cohen Veteran Network (2024). Specialized Practice Curricular Guide for Military Social Work. 3rd Edition. Alexandria, VA.
- Council on Social Work Education & Cohen Veterans Network (2018). Specialized Practice Curricular Guide for MilitarySocial Work. (National Task Force Participant). Alexandria, VA.
Magazines (Research/Practitioner Focused)
Odom, S. (2023). “Black Generals Are Sterling Examples for Others to Follow.” The Magazine of the Association of the United States Army, 73(12), 58-60.
Selected Presentations
Odom, S. (2024). Simmons University School of Social Work. General Gary M. Brito, 18th Commanding General, Training Doctrine Command, Keynote Address, 1st Annual Veterans Day Program. Boston, MA. (November 2024).
Odom, S., Bailey, R. & Jones, T. (2023). Dealing with Factors/Issues Causing Women to have Mental Health Disorders. Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. New Orleans, Louisiana (May 26, 2023).
Figley, C., Odom, S. & Yarvis, J. (2022). Partnering with Tulane University School of Social Work & Elk Place Health Spot for Webinar on Military Social Work. New Orleans, Louisiana. (August 25, 2022).
Odom, S., McGraw, K. (2022). Wrestling with the Spirit: Moral Injury and Uniformed Military Social Work Officers. Louisiana Employee Assistance Professionals Association. Metairie, Louisiana. (June 2022).
Wrestling with the Spirit: Moral Injury and Uniformed Military Social Work Officers. (2022). Louisiana Employee Assistance Professionals Association Workshop. Metairie, LA.
Odom, S., Freeman, D. (2021). Moral Injury: Wrestling with the Spirit. U. S. Army Medical Department. William A. Beaumont Army Medical Center. Fort Bliss, Texas. (Virtual March 2021).
C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference | Kappa Alpha Psi ®Fraternity, Incorporated (2020). National & International Audience of 4,226 Registrants (Virtual).
Celebrating Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. at 90: Voting Rights, Civil Rights & the Use of Nonviolence Symposium. (2019). New Orleans Public Library. New Orleans, LA.
Recognizing Giants in the Human Services: Public Transportation Retrospective. (2019). Southern University at New Orleans. New Orleans, LA
Wrestling with the Spirit: Moral Injury amongst Military Social Workers. (2019). 69th Annual Convention of North American Association of Christians in Social Work. Indianapolis, IN.
Kappa Alpha Psi Undergraduate Leadership Summit: Mental Health Awareness. (2019). National Founders Day. Tampa, FL.
Dr. Horace Mann Bond: Justice Series on Education and Mental Health Disparities. (2019). Dillard University Professional School and Sciences Building. New Orleans, LA.
Center for Advancing Opportunity: Social Work, Education & Business. (2019). Southern University at New Orleans Millie M. Charles School of Social Work. New Orleans, LA.
Reflections of Diversity, Oppression and Social Functioning of Special Populations through the Lens of Social Work Practice: How do Americans Museums reflect the Intersectionality of Social Justice and Art. (2019). New Orleans Jazz Museum. New Orleans, LA.
Justice For Girls Human Trafficking Forum: Social Work, Psychology & SCLC. (2018). Dillard University. New Orleans, LA.
Essence of Jazz & Social Work Practice Symposium. (2017). Dillard University Professional School and Sciences Building. New Orleans, LA.
Invited Talks
Odom, S. Uniformed & Military social work and the importance of diversity & inclusion |
Psych Armor Podcast | Episode 12 | March 2021.
Odom, S. (2020). Moral Injury amongst Military Social Workers. Military Social Work & Behavioral Health Conference. University of Texas at Austin. (April 2020) (Virtual July 2020).
Odom, S. (2019). Suicide Awareness and Prevention: A Psychiatric and Psychological Perspective. (Little Rock, Arkansas- September 2019).
Odom, S. (2019). Mental Health Panel. National Guide Right Town Hall. (84th Grand Chapter Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania- August 2019).
Odom, S. (2019). Leadership Development. National Guide Right Student Leadership Forum for junior high and high-school (65) students pursuing college and military service. (84th Grand Chapter Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania- August 2019).
Odom, S. (2018). Leadership Development Inaugural National Kappa League Conference sponsored by U.S. Army Cadet Command & the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation for junior high and high-school (235) students (Concord, NC).
Odom, S. (2018). LABSWE Skills Building Workshop (Social Work Employment Opportunities - Department of Defense & Department of Veteran Affairs) at the Millie M. Charles School of Social Work.
Odom, S. (2017). LABSWE Skills Building Workshop (Social Work Employment Opportunities - Department of Defense & Department of Veteran Affairs) at the Millie M. Charles School of Social Work.
Odom, S. (2017). Effective Leadership and Emotional Intelligence for junior high and high-school (125) students pursuing college and military service. Paul Quinn College | Kappa Kamp. (Dallas, TX).
Odom, S. (2015). Military Veterans & Effects of Post-Traumatic Stress. Southern University at New Orleans.
Community Involvement
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- CSWE Track Co-Chair, Military Personnel and Veterans, First Responders and Their Families and Communities
- International Military Social Work Consortium Work Group
- Specialized Practice Curricular Guide for Military Social Work
- Mayor's Military Advisory Committee, City of New Orleans
- New Orleans East Hospital Board of Commissioners
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
Awards
- Faculty Fellow | North Star Collective | New England Board of Higher Education (2024)
- KΑΨ C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference National Chairman (2019–2023)
- Dr. Elbert K. Fretwell Award for Outstanding Educator (2019)
Samuel Odom in the News
Two Simmons Faculty Members Receive North Star Fellowships
Samuel Odom from the School of Social Work and Don Simmons from the School of Library and Information Science, have been named fellows by the North Star Collective Faculty Fellowship, which is designed to promote supportive community and racial healing for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) faculty members across New England.
Simmons School of Social Work Welcomes New Faculty
Simmons University’s School of Social Work Programs welcomed four new faculty members this academic year, with expertise in addiction treatment, hospice and bereavement support, racism-based trauma, and military social work.
Simmons School of Social Work Holds First Annual Veterans Day Celebration
On November 6, the Simmons School of Social Work hosted a hybrid Veterans Day celebration to honor servicemembers past and present, with a keynote address delivered by General Gary M. Brito, the 18th Commanding General of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command.
Simmons Professor Practices Social Work in Support of Veterans
School of Social Work Associate Professor of Practice Samuel Odom shares the value of the Simmons MSW Clinical Practice with Active Service Members, Veterans, and Families certificate program.