Faculty Spotlight: Sosamma Samuel-Burnett

Meet Sosamma Samuel-Burnett

Degrees and Experience
  • J.D. (University of Minnesota Law School)
  • B.S.F.S. (Georgetown University School of Foreign Service)
Biography and Professional Achievements

Sosamma Samuel-Burnett, is founder and president of G.L.O.B.A.L Justice, a nonprofit organization that informs, impacts, and inspires the generations to learn, lead, and do justice together. With 30 years of human rights advocacy experience and 15 years as a university professor, Samuel-Burnett has focused the work of G.L.O.B.A.L on serving as a resource to the community to educate on justice issues, equip students and professionals to pursue justice, promote advocacy organizations addressing injustices, and support educational institutions preparing the next generation of advocates.

Samuel-Burnett earned a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, with a concentration in International Politics: Law, Relations, & Organization, in Washington, D.C. She also earned a juris doctor from the University of Minnesota Law School, with an emphasis in International Human Rights Law and Public Policy, in Minneapolis.

For most of her professional career, Samuel-Burnett served as an international advocate and policy consultant focusing on human rights concerns from a Christian perspective.

Samuel-Burnett moved to Northern Colorado in August 2013 after 12 years in public policy and higher education in Northern California. She served for nearly a decade as founder and chair of the Public Policy Department and also founder and executive director of the Public Policy Institute both at William Jessup University in Rocklin, California.

She also previously served as co-director for the Sacramento-based California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, the largest state-wide association of its kind in the country, as well as U.S. program director for the Institute for Food and Development Policy in Oakland.

Previously, Samuel-Burnett served as the program director for the U.S. Racial Discrimination Program at International Human Rights Law Group in Washington, D.C., as well as development and policy director for the Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights in Minneapolis. She also has served as a human rights fellow to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Samuel-Burnett has also worked in a range of policy and advocacy organization, law firms, and public affairs and media firms in Washington, D.C., Minneapolis/St. Paul, and Tupelo, Mississippi.

Samuel-Burnett is presently a fellow in geopolitics/global justice with the Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University. She also serves on the board of directors for Agape International Mission, a nonprofit advocacy organization focusing on ending sex trafficking in Cambodia and across the globe. She previously served as AIM board chair for 10 years.

She also previously served as board secretary for Shoulder-to-Shoulder, a nonprofit organization addressing fatherlessness among urban youth in Sacramento. Samuel-Burnett recently served both in 2015 and 2016 as the chair of the National Day of Prayer of Northern Colorado, and continued to serve on the planning committee in 2017-2019. She has been a member of the school district accountability committees for Carrie Martin Elementary, Walt Clark Middle School, and Thompson School District in Loveland, Colorado. Samuel-Burnett also serves in several other advisory and consulting capacities for various organizations and committees.

Samuel-Burnett attends Grace Place Church in Berthoud, Colorado, and previously at Foundations Church in Loveland, Colorado. While in California, Samuel-Burnett was a member of Adventure Christian Church and served as founder and chair of the global missions program at Adventure Christian Church of North Natomas. Through that program, she supported the establishment of Christian churches and Bible schools and humanitarian efforts in Bihar, India; Zimbabwe, Africa; and Haiti as well as provided emergency relief for disasters in the U.S. and around the world.

Samuel-Burnett advises many organizations on justice, human rights, geopolitics, gender/race, leadership, nonprofit management, faith, and other topics. She is an international commentator and speaker. Samuel-Burnett was the 2018 Dr. Joan King International Woman of Vision honoree from Colorado Women of Influence, 2017 and 2018 Nominee for the L'Oreal Women of Worth, and 2019 nominee for the Martin Luther King, Jr. award in Colorado.