Malaika Samples

Malaika Samples, EdD, MPA, is an experienced educational leader currently serving as the assistant director of Academic Innovation at the Florida Institute for Child Welfare (FICW) and as research faculty at the College of Social Work. She leads the development and implementation of strategic learning initiatives, focusing on creating impactful learning experiences for students and aligning programs with institutional goals.

At the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), Dr. Samples oversaw the development and launch of comprehensive educational programs designed to advance the professional competencies of healthcare providers. Collaborating with senior leadership, she defined performance metrics, instituted an instructional design internship program, and led a team responsible for developing innovative self-paced online and instructor-led training initiatives. Her leadership extended to flagship programs such as the Fundamentals of Addiction Medicine and Motivational Interviewing, contributing to the professional growth of ASAM’s 7,000-member base.

Prior to ASAM, Dr. Samples served as an online course mentor, adjunct faculty, research assistant, and program coordinator at Florida State University. Her expertise in instructional design, educational program evaluation, curriculum development, and educational leadership has contributed to the success of academic programs such as the FSU Emergency Management and Homeland Security (EMHS) program. These themes are also evident in her 2018 dissertation, in which she explored the implementation of evidence-based professional competencies in emergency management academic programs. Earlier in her career, Dr. Samples worked as a K-12 teacher in Florida high schools and Georgia Virtual School. She is known for her strategic thinking, mentorship, and commitment to educational innovation.