Bio
Dr. Linda F. Samuel is an Associate Professor (Social Work) and licensed social worker with over 20 years of professional experience prior to obtaining her PhD in Social Work (Clark Atlanta University, 2007). Dr. Samuel also holds a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina (1990), Graduate Certificate-Gerontology from the University of Georgia (2007), and a Bachelor in Social Welfare from Social Carolina State University (1983).
Dr. Samuel’s professional experience includes work in the criminal justice system, child welfare system, alcohol/drug treatment system, public health network, and healthcare system. Additionally, she actively holds professional expertise in the following areas: Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups; Gerontology Curriculum Development, Social Work Administration; Minority Health Disparities Advocacy; Caregiver Support Groups; Rural Health Education, Religion/Spirituality Research; and Women Resources Networks.
Research Interests
As a social work practitioner, educator, and licensed lay minister, I have been very fortunate to be able to combine both my personal passion with my professional goals/career. I find great fulfillment and solace in serving rural residents through community outreach. My research interests are based on both my personal and professional experience. As a social worker, I enhance my research experience and skills so that I may continue to be an asset to the rural community, older adults and their families, especially older adults residing in rural settings and older African Americans. I am motivated to learn new skills and knowledge concerning research on the relationships among the health of rural residents (African Americans), older adults, older women, and religious/spiritual coping. Additionally, I am interested in research that focuses on spirituality and coping, aging, public health and social work through qualitative, mixed methods and community participatory research.
