Dr. Steven Samuels
Professor of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership
Bio
Steve was one of the original 12 civilians to integrate the Air Force Academy in 1993 and has been active publishing and working internally on issues of leadership, inclusion, and pedagogy. He was the first civilian to work Basic Cadet Training, and the first (and so far only) civilian to earn Jump Wings from the Academy.
Much of his work revolves around issues of inclusion. As a fellow at The Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership at the U.S. Naval Academy, he investigated the complexity of individual ethical accountability in a situationist world. As a member of a hybrid military/academic team, Steve trained Citadel (South Carolina) cadets on issues of gender and racial integration after the Supreme Court dictated an intervention. He was named an Honorary Visiting Scholar at the University of Colorado—Colorado Springs’ Matrix Center for the Advancement of Social Equity and Inclusion where he continued his research. He was invited as a subject expert to the Department of Defense’s Report of the Issues Associated with a Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
While spending his first three decades on the coasts, Steve considers himself a Coloradan. He spends as much time as possible with his wife outside hiking, as well as at various craft breweries and distilleries. He is the proud parent of two children, both working in the policy sector.
Education
Ph.D., Social Psychology, with focus in Business, Stanford University (1994)
B.A., Psychology and Philosophy, Brandeis University (1986)
Professional Experience
Research, Integration, & Assessment Fellow, Center for Character & Leadership Development (2016-17)
Federally Certified in Mediation and Conflict Management (2015)
Inaugural USAFA Ombuds (IOA Ombudsman Training 2014)
Honorary Visiting Scholar, The Matrix Center for the Advancement of Social Equity and Inclusion, University of Colorado (2009)
Human Affairs Team Training, The Citadel (2002-2007)
Research Fellow, Stockdale Center for the Study of Professional Military Ethics, U.S. Naval Academy (2001-2002)
CDR Associates Facilitation Skills Workshop (2000)
Advanced Negotiation: Managing Difficult Conversations, Harvard University (1997)
Conflict Resolution Consultant to Brig General Cubero (1995)
Honors & Awards
Inclusive Teaching Award nominee (2020 and 2021)
DF Team of the Year: Officership 100 Project (2017)
DF Team of the Quarter: “After Charlottesville” Critical Conversation Team (2017 winter)
USAFA Malham M. Wakin Character Development Award finalist–DF winner (2006, 2016, & 2017)
Martinson Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Research Award finalist (2016-17)
Social Sciences Division Team of the Quarter: Sexual Assault Response Team (2015 spring)
William H. Hendrix Award for Scholarship Excellence (2013-2014 inaugural winner)
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership Teaching Excellence Award (1995, 2014)
Social Sciences Division Team of the Year: Leadership Team (2013)
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership Best Paper Award (2012-2013)
Blue Alliance (USAFA LGBT Alumni) Flight of Heroes (2012 inaugural inductee)
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership Researcher of the Year (2010-2011)
Pentagon Working Group on Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: cohesion consultant (2010)
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership Best Paper Award (2009-2010)
Consultant, Women’s Funding Network Conference, Racial Diversity & Inclusion (2009)
Salzburg Global Seminar Fellowship: Smart Change: Investing in Women and Girls, Leveraging Philanthropy for Global Impact (2009)
Faculty Resource Network Scholar-In-Residence, NYU: Dynamics of Social Diversity in College Classrooms (2008)
Created USAFA Psi Chi chapter, International Honor Society for Psychology (2006)
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership nominee for CASE Professor of the Year (2004-05)
Outstanding Major Accident Response Exercise Performer (2002)
Bright Idea Award, The Teaching Toolbox (year’s best creative program for faculty development) Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Ed (1997)
USAFA Outstanding Academy Educator in Behavioral Sciences and Leadership (1996-97)
Research and Scholarly Interests
Social psychology
Diversity & inclusion
Leadership
Self-efficacy
Pedagogy
Publications
Peer-Reviewed Journals
Butler Samuels, M. A., Samuels, S. M., & Peditto, K. (2021). Instructor factors predicting student support: Psychology course feedback following COVID-19 rapid shift to online learning, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology.https://doi.org/10.1037/stl000027
Do, J. J. & Samuels, S. M. (2020). I am a warrior: An analysis of the military masculine-warrior narrative among U.S. Air Force officer candidates, Armed Forces & Society. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095327X20931561
Samuels, S. M., Lindsay, D. Watola, D., Walliser, J., Reimer, R. (2013). The impact of using a survey framework in leadership education: Is more better? Journal of Leadership Education, 12(1), 9-17.
Belkin, A., Ender, M. G., Frank, N., Furia, S. R., Lucas, G., Packard, G., Samuels, S. M., Schultz, T., & Segal, D. R. (2013). Readiness and DADT repeal: Has the new policy of open service undermined the military? Armed Forces & Society, 39(4), 587-601. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095327X12466248
Samuels, S. M. (2013). Review of the book How We Won by A. Belkin. Journal of Homosexuality: Special Issue on the Evolution of Government Policy Regarding Gays and Lesbians in the US Military, 60(2-3), 474-477. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2013.744939
Do, J. J., Samuels, S. M., Adkins D. J., Clinard, M. E., & Koveleskie, A. J. (2013). Gender bias and pluralistic ignorance in perceptions of fitness assessment. Military Psychology, 25(1), 23-35. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0094754
Samuels, S. M., Foster, C. A., & Lindsay, D. R. (2010). Freefall, self-efficacy, and leading in dangerous contexts. Military Psychology: Special Issue: Leadership in Military and Other Dangerous Contexts, 22(1), S117-S136. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995601003644379
Samuels, S. M., Samuels, D. R. & Martínez, J. (2010). Privilege tag: Learning and transmitting the concept of privilege. Reflections: Special Edition on Issues of Privilege, 16, 88-98.
Katayama, A. D., Samuels, S. M., & Pryor, R., III. (2006). Regulating learning with student constructed study guides. The Learning Assistance Review Journal, 11(1), 5-16.
Samuels S. M., & Casebeer W. D. (2005). A social psychological view of morality: Why knowledge of situational influences on behaviour can improve character development practices. Journal of Moral Education, 34(1), 73-87. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057240500049349
Liberman, V., Samuels, S. M., & Ross, L. (2004). The name of the game: Predictive power of reputations vs. situational labels in determining Prisoner’s Dilemma game moves. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 30(9), 1175-1185. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167204264004
School Spirit Study Group. (2004). Measuring school spirit: A national teaching exercise. Teaching of Psychology, 31(1), 18-21. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15328023top3101_5 [project was completed by a consortium of 30 instructors at 20 colleges and universities.]
Samuels, S. M., & Samuels, D. R. (2003). Reconstructing culture: Privilege and change at the United States Air Force Academy. Race, Gender, and Class: Special Edition on Privilege, 10, 120-144.
Samuels, S. M., & Gibb, R. W. (2002). Self-efficacy assessment and generalization in physical education courses. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 32(6), 1313-1326. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2002.tb01438.x
Hershenson, M., & Samuels, S. M. (1999). An airplane illusion: Apparent velocity determined by apparent distance. Perception, 28(4), 433-436. https://doi.org/10.1068/p2779
Diekmann, K. A., Samuels, S. M., Ross, L., & Bazerman, M. H. (1997). Self-interest and fairness in problems of resource allocation: Allocators versus recipients. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 72(5), 1061-1074. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.72.5.1061
Book Chapters
Samuels, S. M., Packard, G. A., Jr., & Oats, A. M. (in press). Leadership implications of inclusion as a scale: Deeper understanding and greater impact. In J. E. Parco, D. A. Levy, D. DePorres & A. Sandoval (Eds.), Attitudes Aren’t Free: A Call to Action (Vol II). Enso Books.
Butler Samuels, M. A. & Samuels, S. M. (2020). Service academy integrative education: Broad student support to create resilient soldier-citizens. In S. Rawat, O. Boe, & A. Piotrowski (Eds.), Military psychology response to post pandemic reconstruction, Vol II (pp. 830-844). Rawat Publications.
Samuels, S. M., Lindsay, D., Packard, G. A., Jr. & Ramsey, R. (2018). A new approach to leadership education: Creating an intentional, integrated, leadership learning experience. In S. Rawat (Ed.), Cadet diary: Psychology of warrior ethos and cadet leadership development (pp. 262-272). Jaipur, India: Rawat Publications.
Donigian, A., Lindsay, D., & Samuels, S. M. (2018). Leadership development at a military service academy: The 47 month plan. In S. Rawat (Ed.), Cadet diary: Psychology of warrior ethos and cadet leadership development (pp. 239-250). Jaipur, India: Rawat Publications.
Belkin, A., Ender, M., Frank, N., Furia, S., Lucas, G. R., Packard, G., Jr., Samuels, S. M., Schultz, T. S., & Segal, D. R. (2014). One year out: An assessment of DADT repeal’s impact on military readiness. In J. E. Parco & D. A. Levy (Eds.). Evolution of government policy towards homosexuality in the US military: The rise and fall of Don't Ask, Don't Tell (pp. 329-373). New York: Routledge.
Samuels, S. M., & Samuels, D. R. (2010). Incorporating the concept of privilege into policy and practice: Guidance for leaders who strive to create sustainable change. In J. E. Parco, D. A. Levy, & F. R. Blass (Eds.) Attitudes aren’t free: Thinking deeply about diversity in the U.S. Armed Forces (pp. 321-341). Maxwell, AL: AU Press.
Samuels, S. M., & Samuels, D. R. (2009). Privilege and cultural reform at the U.S. Air Force Academy. In A. L. Ferber, C. M. Jimenez, A. O’Reilly Herrera, & D. R. Samuels (Eds.) The Matrix Reader: Examining the Dynamics of Oppression and Privilege (pp. 579-583). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Diekmann, K. A., Samuels, S. M., Ross, L., & Bazerman, M. H. (2005). Self-interest and fairness in problems of resource allocation: Allocators versus recipients. In Bazerman, M. H. (Ed.) Negotiation, Decision Making, and Conflict Management, Vol II. Northhampton, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing.