Skip to main content
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
Kent State University logo
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Give Now
  • FlashLine Login
  • Calendars
  • Phone Directory
  • Maps & Directions
  • Search
The Center for Public Policy and Health
Menu Search
  • About Us
    Close
    • About Us Overview
    • History
    • News
    • Partner Organizations
    • Publications
    • Faculty & Staff
  • Environment & Water Policy
  • Public Policy & Health Administration
    Close
    • Public Policy & Health Administration Overview
    • Intergovernmental Collaboration & Shared Services
    • Public Health Management & Policy
    • Public Policy & Administration
    • Akron Health Hub
  • Mental Health & Substance Use
    Close
    • Mental Health & Substance Use Overview
    • Resources
    • A.I.D. Training
    • QPR Training
    • Hear to Help
    • Projects
  • Technical Assistance
    Close
    • Technical Assistance Overview
    • Program Evaluation
    • Biostatistical and Research Design Services
    • LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessment
    • Needs Assessment and Improvement Planning
    • Schedule a Consultation
  • FlashLine Login
  • Calendars
  • Phone Directory
  • Maps & Directions
  • Search
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Give Now
Live Chat
Headshot of Dr. Samantha Nousak

Samantha Nousak, Ph.D.

Health Policy and Management
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Campus:
Kent
Office Location:
322 Lowry Hall
Contact Information
Email:
snousak@kent.edu
Phone:
330-672-6516

Biography

Dr. Samantha Nousak broadly researches how the economy impacts health outcomes and definitions, ranging from disability to wellness. She recently served as the coordinator and a guest editor of a special edition of Sociation focusing on the intersections of disability and the Covid-19 pandemic, and she provides many talks on disability across the Kent State campus. Her current projects include extending Fundamental Cause Theory to positive and mental health outcomes, advocating for increased disability representation in academia, and working on numerous community wellness, mental health, and substance use grants in the Center for Public Policy and Health.

In her spare time, Samantha enjoys writing fiction, playing her various instruments, and making jam.

Education

B.A. in Sociology (Minor: Psychology), 2018
M.A. in Sociology, 2020
Ph.D. in Sociology (Concentration: Social Psychology), 2023

Publications

  • Nousak, Samantha. 2024. "Extending Fundamental Cause Theory to Holistic Health." Sociology of Health and Illness 47(1): e13875.
  • Laurene, Kimberly R., Samantha Nousak, Kayla H. Marker, Abdulwasiu Ibrahim, and Deric R. Kenne. 2024. “Awareness. Interaction. Direction. (A.I.D.): Evaluation of a novel mental health awareness training.” Advances in Mental Health 22(3):365-378.
  • Nousak, Samantha, Leanne Barry, and Susan Fisk. 2024. “Deepening Learning and Addressing Inequalities: A Psycho-Social Approach to Improving Statistical Literacy Throughout Sociology Curricula.” Teaching Sociology 52(3):276-287.
  • Nousak, Samantha. 2022. “Introduction: Covid-19, Disability, & the Sociological Imagination.” Sociation 21(1).
  • Nousak, Samantha and Marni Brown. 2022. “Disability & Covid-19: Sociation Special Edition Conversations.” Podcast accompanying Sociation 21(1).
  • Nousak, Samantha. 2018. Attitudes towards births outside of marriage: 1988 & 2012. (Family Profiles, FP-18-13). Bowling Green, OH: National Center for Family & Marriage Research. doi: 10.25035/ncfmr/fp-18-13

Awards/Achievements

  • Lewis-Benson Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award
  • Mary Ann Stephens and John R. Graham Award for Excellence in Graduate Research
  • James T. Laing Scholarship in Sociology

Documents

PDF icon 2025.04.09 Nousak_Samantha CV.pdf

News Stories

Reclaiming Ruralisms (Nousak and Harvey 2023), Filling and Expanding your “Dealing With It” Cup (Nousak and Afzal 2020),
The Center for Public Policy and Health

Street Address

750 Hilltop Drive Kent, OH 44242


Mailing Address

800 E. Summit St.
Kent, OH 44242

Contact Us

330-672-7148 jfilla@kent.edu
Contact Us
  • 330-672-3000
  • info@kent.edu

CPPH Facebook
CPPH Twitter
CPPH Instagram
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • linkedin
  • TikTok
  • X
  • snapchat
  • ...
Information
  • Accessibility
  • Annual Security Reports
  • For Our Alumni
  • For the Media
  • Health Services
  • Jobs & Employment
  • Privacy Statement
  • HEERF CARES/CRRSAA/ARP Act Reporting and Disclosure
  • Website Feedback
Kent State University logo
© 2025 Kent State University All rights reserved.