Leila Samii
Bedford,NH
Summary
Dynamic academic leader with a proven track record at Southern New Hampshire University, excelling in curriculum development and strategic planning. Spearheaded initiatives that enhanced student success and retention, while fostering faculty development and collaboration. Adept at budget management and relationship building, driving impactful educational experiences and institutional growth.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Vice President, Academic Affairs
Southern New Hampshire University
01.2023 - 01.2026
- Led institutional retention and student success efforts resulting in the highest performance metrics in over a decade
- Provided academic leadership across Student Success and Persistence, General Education, First-Year Experience, the Center for Teaching and Learning, Center for Project-Based Learning, Experiential Learning, Undergraduate Research, and Study Abroad initiative
- Established the strategic vision for a Shared Faculty Advising Model integrating faculty, professional, and career advising to strengthen retention and student pathways
- Designed and implemented a university-wide experiential education framework across academic schools, embedding high-impact practices into curricula
- Served as lead architect of experiential learning initiatives within the University Strategic Plan
- Directed $1.5M in academic budgets supporting instructional quality, faculty development, and student success programming
- Launched instructional delivery modalities enhancing market expansion and broadening access to academic programs
- Expanded undergraduate research and study abroad programs, enhancing student engagement and participation in applied learning experiences
Associate Dean
Southern New Hampshire University
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Contributed to successful ACBSP accreditation efforts through cross-university collaboration with academic quality assurance, data analytics, campus leadership, and global programs teams
- Partnered with department chairs to design and implement comprehensive assessment strategies aligning KPIs with program-level learning outcomes
- Streamlined adjunct faculty recruitment, onboarding, and instructional support, enhancing academic quality and consistency across modalities
- Adjudicated complex student academic concerns regarding curriculum, advising, and policy, ensuring equitable resolutions aligned with institutional standards
- Exercised academic judgment in final determinations regarding program evaluations, policy changes, and advisor reassignment requests
- Advanced the One Catalogue curriculum integration initiative to align online and campus programs under a unified academic framework
- Collaborated with academic scheduling teams to streamline course planning processes and improve instructional efficiency
- Supported international graduate program expansion, contributing to a 500% increase in enrollment through academic infrastructure and program oversight
- Developed and implemented centralized adjunct orientation and training across campus, fostering a unified instructional approach.
Chair, Center for Teaching and Learning
Southern New Hampshire University
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Developed and implemented university-wide strategy for mental health support and academic continuity during pandemic, ensuring faculty and student needs were met
- Led institutional faculty transition to remote instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting rapid pedagogical redesign across disciplines
- Designed and facilitated 29 faculty development programs addressing remote pedagogy, student engagement, inclusive teaching, and mental health support, including student-faculty dialogue panels
- Co-launched four-day professional development institute, offering 22 sessions that engaged 306 faculty and staff in targeted learning
- Co-conceptualized and launched Co-Designed, a podcast advancing student–faculty partnership and collaborative learning practices
- Oversaw budget and allocated resources for faculty development initiatives, ensuring effective support for teaching and learning
Marketing Program Coordinator
Southern New Hampshire University
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Developed academic program initiatives that drove enrollment growth and introduced innovative curricula.
- Led cross-university curriculum alignment efforts, ensuring coherence across online and campus courses.
- Onboarded 12 adjunct faculty in two months to maintain instructional capacity following faculty departures.
- Successfully transitioned faculty from face-to-face to remote instruction, maintaining high academic standards.
Director of Academic Innovation
Southern New Hampshire University
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Formulated strategies to enhance integration of experiential learning within curricula and campus initiatives.
- Mapped processes and planned strategies for effective organizational change and academic innovation.
- Collaborated with academic and administrative stakeholders to align initiatives with institutional goals.
- Selected as faculty representative for university’s reimagination initiative, aiding institutional redesign efforts.
Education
Ph.D. - International Business (Marketing)
Southern New Hampshire University
01-2013
M.S. - International Business
Southern New Hampshire University
01-2010
B.A. - Psychology (cum laude)
Southern New Hampshire University
01-2007
Graduate Coursework - Forensic Psychology
John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY)
Skills
- Curriculum development
- Assessment strategy
- Accreditation processes
- Program evaluation
- Budget management
- Strategic planning
- Academic leadership
- Faculty development
- Team collaboration
- Relationship management
Academic Appointments
- Southern New Hampshire University, Associate Professor of Marketing, 09/20–06/26
- Southern New Hampshire University, Assistant Professor of Marketing, 09/16–06/20
- Southern New Hampshire University, Adjunct Faculty, 09/11–06/14
- Aurora University, Assistant Professor of Digital Marketing, 09/14–06/16
- Harvard University (Division of Continuing Education / Summer School / Professional Development), Adjunct Faculty, 09/12–06/18
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
- Softic, A., Samii, L., & Gulidanan, A., 2025, Social media and women’s roles in Middle Eastern countries., Social Development Issues
- Bingol, T. S., & Samii, L., 2023, Cross-cultural analysis of Facebook on global purchase., Journal of Marketing Development and Competitiveness
- Kiprop, B., & Samii, L., 2021, Cause-related marketing in a polarized global marketplace., Journal of Brand Strategy, 9, 3, 271–283
- Bingol, T. S., & Samii, L., 2019, Co-communication and brand reflection in higher education: Perceptions of enrollment intention and recommending., Journal of Economic Sciences: Theory and Practice
Edited Proceedings
- Milewicz, C., Samii, L., & Hochradel, B. (Eds.). (2019). Cultural consciousness in business: MMA Spring 2019 Conference Proceedings.
- Lindgren, L., Samii, L., & Sullivan, U. (Eds.). (2018). The future of marketing is now: MMA Fall 2018 Conference Proceedings.
- Lindgren, L., & Samii, L. (Eds.). (2018). Putting the pieces together: Top educators + best practices + new technology = relevant outcomes: MMA Spring 2018 Conference Proceedings.
Book Chapters
- Samii, L., 2016, Engaging your global social media audience: A framework for e-retailers., E-retailing: Challenges and opportunities in the global marketplace, S. Dixit & A. K. Sinha, 206–228, Business Science Reference, Hershey, PA
- Strout, S., & Samii, L., 2009, The mating game: The extension of the Umwelt in the 21st century., Relating to environments: A new look at the Umwelt, R. S. Chang, 105–115, Information Age Publishing, Charlotte, NC
Refereed Conference Presentations
- Karadakis, K., & Samii, L. (2020, October 28–30). The mindfulness student experience in marketing and sport. Paper presented at the Marketing Management Association Conference (Virtual).
- Amendah, E., & Samii, L. (2018, September). Social media is a technical skill: Why are we using it as a transferable skill in pedagogy? Paper presented at the Marketing Management Association Educators Conference, Kansas City, MO.
- Samii, L. (2016, September). A look at social media courses through the years: The balance of theory and application. Paper presented at the Marketing Management Association Educators Conference, Providence, RI.
- Samii, L. (2015, May). Motivating collaborative learning through a constructivist approach: The Happyin21 social media campaign. Paper presented at the Racom IMC Roundtable, Chicago, IL.
- Samii, L., & Coker, K. (2015, March). Brand in the mirror: Toward brand identity-image congruence in social media marketing. Paper presented at the Marketing Management Association Spring Conference. (Best Paper Award, Digital Marketing Track)
- Samii, L., Nugent, N., & Lynch, A. (2014, October). Global market segments on social media: Clustering country-specific factors and social technographic profiles. Paper presented at the Marketing Edge Research Summit, San Diego, CA.
- Samii, L., Nugent, N., & Nugent, N. (2014, January). The social media marketing literature coalesces in 2013. Paper presented at the International Academy of Business and Public Administration Disciplines Conference.
- Samii, L. (2013, October). Country characteristics for a successful social media strategy: A cluster analysis approach. Paper presented at the Direct/Interactive Marketing Research Summit, Chicago, IL.
- Samii, L., Byrne, K., & Nugent, N. (2010, October). Dynamic factors for marketing with social media. Paper presented at the Association of International Business New England Conference, Hartford, CT.
- Samii, L., & Falkenbach, D. (2009, March). Psychopathic-like traits, the behavioral inhibition system, the behavioral activation system, and anxiety. Paper presented at the American Psychology and Law Society Conference, San Antonio, TX.
Invited Speaking Engagements
- Samii, L. (n.d.). Social media. Invited presentation, Harvard Program for Asian and International Relations.
- Samii, L. (n.d.). Marketing strategy and social media. Invited presentation, Harvard Kennedy School Marketing Department.
- Samii, L. (n.d.). Digital and social media strategy. Invited presentation, Amsted Industries International Human Resource Conference.
- Samii, L. (n.d.). Marketing for nonprofit organizations. Invited presentation, Naperville Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit Conference.
- Samii, L. (n.d.). Social media strategy and tourism marketing. Invited presentation, New Hampshire Tourism Annual Conference.
- Samii, L. (n.d.). Applied digital marketing. Invited presentation, Valley Industrial Association.
Service To Profession
- Delta Mu Delta Regional Region 1 Representative
- Marketing Management Association (President, Communications Director, Proceedings Co-Editor, Conference Organizer)
University Service
- Graduate Council (Co-Chair)
- Institutional Review Board
- Faculty Senate
- Curriculum Committees
- AMA Faculty Advisor
- Center for Teaching and Learning Board (Chair)
Community And Board Service
- The Nature Conservancy NH, Board Member
- World Affairs Council NH, Board Member
- City Year NH, Marketing and Development Committee
- Missy’s Closet, Board Member
Awards
- Student Affairs Faculty Collaborator Award, 2020
- Shapiro Grant, 2018
- Marketing Management Association Best Paper Award, 2015
- Young Scholars Award, John Jay College, 2011
Timeline
Assistant Vice President, Academic Affairs
Southern New Hampshire University
01.2023 - 01.2026
Associate Dean
Southern New Hampshire University
01.2021 - 01.2023
Chair, Center for Teaching and Learning
Southern New Hampshire University
01.2020 - 01.2021
Marketing Program Coordinator
Southern New Hampshire University
01.2019 - 01.2020
Director of Academic Innovation
Southern New Hampshire University
01.2019 - 01.2020
Ph.D. - International Business (Marketing)
Southern New Hampshire University
M.S. - International Business
Southern New Hampshire University
B.A. - Psychology (cum laude)
Southern New Hampshire University
Graduate Coursework - Forensic Psychology
John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY)