Veteran, Scholar, Changemaker: Samira McKay’s Journey from the Air Force to Social Work

McKay shows the scale of the F-22 Raptor, a supersonic stealth fighter aircraft

When Hurricane Michael tore through Panama City in 2018, former Air Force service member Samira McKay found herself living out of a hotel, working long shifts with limited supplies, and worrying about a girl she mentored who had gone missing after the storm. That experience would ultimately change the course of her life, setting her on a path that led to Florida Atlantic University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program.

Today, McKay is a MSW student in the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work, where her commitment to service continues to define her journey. Recently, the Palm Health Foundation honored her with a prestigious scholarship.

“Samira has an incredible story of strength and perseverance,” said Dean Naelys Luna, Ph.D., MSW, professor and founding dean of the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice, who also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Palm Health Foundation. “She is exactly the kind of leader and difference-maker our community needs. Her journey and the way she represents our College is nothing short of extraordinary.”

From her six years in the U.S. Air Force to her current academic pursuits, McKay’s story is one of unwavering dedication to service to others. Her resilience in the face of adversity has not only shaped her path but has also fueled her passion for making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families.

A Lifelong Call to Serve

With a family history of military service, McKay says she felt a natural pull toward a similar path.

“I always wanted to be in the military,” she said. “I have two aunts and two uncles in the military.” Though she knew her family’s branch, the Army, wasn’t for her, the answer came unexpectedly while she was working at PBS in Pensacola, after earning her degree in communications. A recruiter she met at the airport introduced her to the Air Force Reserve, a path that would allow her to serve her country while maintaining her civilian career.

After an initial attempt to join was cut short, McKay moved back home to Fort Lauderdale and took a job as a production assistant. But the call to serve persisted. She decided to try again, this time for active duty.

By March 2017, she had received her orders and was off to basic training at the age of 27. It was a journey marked by twists of fate, but one that ultimately led her right where she was meant to be.

From Devastation to a Newfound Purpose

McKay’s six years in the Air Force were transformative, but it was a catastrophic event that would ultimately steer her toward social work. In 2018, less than six months after arriving at her first base in Panama City, Hurricane Michael made landfall.

“The base got completely destroyed,” McKay recalled. “Panama City got completely destroyed. That was a lot for me to deal with mentally.”

In the storm's aftermath, McKay was one of the few airmen left in her shop, working tirelessly with limited supplies while living out of a hotel. Amidst the chaos, her deepest concern was for her “little sister” from the Big Brother Big Sister program, a young girl from a struggling family with whom she had formed a close bond.

“I couldn't get in touch with my little. I tried her mom’s phone, but it was off. The location where they were living was completely destroyed,” she said. While she later found out the family wasn’t listed as deceased, the experience of being unable to help left a lasting mark.

Coupled with the trauma of the storm, the experience caused her to develop PTSD, which she initially sought to ignore. Coming from a Jamaican family where therapy wasn't common, she turned to prayer.

“I was doing everything right: praying, reading the Bible,” she said. But she felt a persistent conviction that she was missing something.

During the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, she finally had a breakdown and was introduced to therapy for the first time. Though initially hesitant, fearful that it could impact her military career, she connected with a therapist on base who helped her process her trauma. That positive experience sparked a new idea: to pursue a career in social work.

A Path to Florida Atlantic University

After retiring from the Air Force, the transition to civilian life proved to be difficult. McKay continued therapy through the VA, where another serendipitous connection occurred. Her new therapist was an MSW graduate from Florida Atlantic. As McKay shared her story and her desire to help children, the therapist suggested she explore the MSW program at FAU.

Despite her fears of failure, McKay took the first step and applied. Soon, she was a student in the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School, on her way to turning her life experiences into a professional calling.

A Scholarship That Changed Everything

Studying for her MSW while balancing family life and the financial stresses of being a student was a significant challenge. "The first year, I was stressing," McKay admitted.

One day, an email about a scholarship from the Palm Health Foundation appeared in her inbox. She almost deleted it, filled with self-doubt. "Who wants to hear my story?" she thought. "Everyone else’s story's a lot better." But with her wife’s encouragement—"the worst they can say is no," she told her—she applied. To her surprise, she was invited for an interview and was ultimately selected as a recipient.

The scholarship was life changing. "It took a huge financial burden off my back," she said. The support went beyond tuition and books; when the foundation learned she was renting a laptop from the university, they bought one for her.

"Just having that laptop, that took a lot of stress off of me," she said, expressing deep gratitude. "It's great to have people in your corner." With the financial strain lifted, McKay could finally focus entirely on her studies and her future.

As she looks toward her graduation in May 2026, McKay is already planning her next steps. Her goal is to get licensed in both Florida and Texas, and she hopes to use her skills to help with relief efforts following Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, where she has family. “Even if I can just be a listening ear,” she said, “someone they can talk to.”

Ultimately, she dreams of opening her own practice, where she can continue to help others navigate their most difficult moments, just as her therapists helped her. 

"I just want to say a big thanks to the Palm Health Foundation, George Snow, and Dean Luna," McKay expressed. "I'm just very grateful to them for this opportunity."

WATCH: In her own words, Samira shares the power of generosity

A Future of Impact

Samira McKay’s journey is a powerful reminder that purpose can be found in the most challenging of circumstances. Her unwavering commitment to service, forged in the military and refined through personal hardship, now guides her toward a career dedicated to healing and support.

“We are exceptionally proud of McKay’s accomplishments and the remarkable way she represents our College,” said Tootie Martin, the director of development at the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice. “Her dedication, service, and heart are inspiring.”

As McKay continues her studies, she carries with her the gratitude of those who have supported her and the determination to pay it forward. Her story is one of dreams, resilience, and aspirations—a journey that will undoubtedly inspire and create lasting change in the communities she will one day serve.

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