Education: 

• Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, concentration: Higher Education from University of Louisiana at Lafayette,     Dissertation: Successful Pathways in the Underground Railroad Concept: Black Women Navigating Barriers in Higher Education Administration at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) ; 
• Master of Arts in Education, concentration: Student Affairs/Higher Education Administration from Louisiana State University (LSU); 
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in concentration 2-D Studio, School of Art & Design, LA Tech University

Department:    Student Life

Office Location:    Student Success Center 108

Contact me for.....   

Housing and Residence Life, Student Conduct, Student Engagement, Retention, and Campus Resources

Brief Intro bio:    

Dr. Rachel Boguille Sam serves as the Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Residence Life at Eureka College, where she provides visionary leadership for residential education and student engagement. A lifelong learner and servant leader, she approaches her work with a deep commitment to empowering students, supporting colleagues, and fostering a campus environment rooted in care, belonging, and holistic development.

With almost two decades of experience in higher education, Dr. Sam has worked across a diverse range of institutional settings, across California, Florida, and Louisiana, including large R1 research universities, mid-sized institutions, small regional schools, a private arts college, and a private college Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Her professional expertise centers on student engagement, retention, leadership development, and formation of holistic, student-centered communities, creating an impactful sense of belonging.

Research Interests:    

• Student Leadership Development
• College Access and Student Retention
• Belonging and Inclusion
• Othermothering
• Rest as Resistance

Teaching Interests:   

Dr. Sam’s teaching philosophy centers on preparing students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world by combining academic excellence, ethical leadership, resilience, research skills, and emerging technologies. She is particularly interested in helping students develop the critical thinking and digital fluency necessary to navigate the age of Artificial Intelligence while remaining grounded in integrity, curiosity, and lifelong learning.

Her teaching interests include:

• Ethics, Decision Making, and Artificial Intelligence – Exploring ethical frameworks, leadership integrity, responsible decision-making, and the opportunities and challenges presented by Artificial Intelligence in academic, professional, and civic life.
• Mastering the First Year: Success in the Age of AI – Supporting students in successfully navigating the transition to college through academic success strategies, campus engagement, goal setting, self-advocacy, and the effective use of AI tools to enhance learning and productivity.
• Grit and Resilience 101 – Examining perseverance, adaptability, growth mindset, wellness, and resilience while preparing students to navigate uncertainty and technological change with confidence and purpose.
• Information Literacy and Digital Fluency – Developing students’ abilities to locate, evaluate, interpret, and ethically use information while distinguishing credible sources, recognizing misinformation, and critically engaging with AI-generated content.
• Artificial Intelligence and Prompt Engineering Fundamentals – Introducing students to AI literacy, effective prompting techniques, responsible AI use, and practical applications of generative AI for research, communication, creativity, leadership, and career preparation.
• Introductory Research Methods in a Digital World – Introducing qualitative and quantitative inquiry, research design, data collection, analysis, and the ethical integration of AI tools into the research process.
• Leadership, Innovation, and Strategic Planning – Exploring how leaders can leverage Artificial Intelligence, creativity, and innovation to solve complex problems, build inclusive communities, and prepare organizations for the future.

Professional Activity: 

Dr. Sam specializes in student engagement, retention, and inclusive residential communities. She is a long-standing NASPA (National Association for Student Affairs Administrators) member, having served as a Presenter, Paper Discussant, and was the Annual Conference’s Featured NASPActs Artist for their social justice initiative, Rooted In Community: The Healing Tree Project. Dr. Sam also contributes to the field as a Journal Peer Reviewer and Presenter for AERA (American Educational Research Association). She has presented at international conferences and is an active member of several professional and civic organizations that reflect her commitment to leadership, service, and community engagement. Through her scholarship, facilitation, and community partnerships, she supports initiatives that promote career readiness, well-being, and access to educational opportunities. Dr. Sam also served as dissertation committee external subject matter expert, and as Graduate Faculty at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the California Institute for Integral Studies.

Community Engagement:   

Dr. Sam is an proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and volunteers her time as a Career Coach with the Career Immersion Leadership Institute (CILI). Within her local community, she always finds herself as the dugout mom for her daughter’s softball teams, and she tutors children with special needs. Sold on Amazon, she has authored two books in the “Hello! My Name Is…Happy” series, a children’s book on emotional regulation and a practical guide for adults navigating their Adverse childhood Experiences (ACEs). She has been recognized in Marquis Who’s Who in Education, awarded The Leadership, Dedication, and Service Award from The Louisiana Educate Program, and is a 2x recipient of the Program of the Year Award from LACUSPA.
Uniquely Eureka Experience    I am excited to focus my efforts on increasing student retention by enhancing our residents’ on-campus living experience, creating a home away from home that will give students an undeniable sense of belonging.

About:   

Dr. Sam was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana and loves to travel, be a softball mom, paint, take naps, and cuddle with her cat, Mr. Cool, and her dog, Boss.

In her spare time, Dr. Sam is an artist, author on Amazon, executive consultant, Career Coach and small business owner. She is Founder and CEO of Doctor Rachel Sam, LLC, a consulting firm dedicated to advancing student success and higher education leadership development. She integrates her background in fine arts as a scholar-practitioner, using creative expression as a tool for healing, identity exploration, and community building.

Above all, she is a devoted wife to Quinton Sam and proud mother to Sophia, who remain central to her purpose and inspiration.