A “Thought Leader” with decades of experience working with police departments and residents to enhance collective efficacy, strengthen community-police relations, and improve public safety in vulnerable communities. She obtained her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and her Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Twenty years of collegiate teaching experience, including instruction in Criminal Justice, Sociology, and African American/African Studies. Currently, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and the Department Chair for the undergraduate and Master’s in Criminal Justice Administration Programs at Bethune-Cookman University. Also serves as the Director of the B-CU Center for Law & Social Justice. Areas of expertise include community-police relations, police accountability and use of force, race and social justice, and performance management. Recipient of the Presidential Gold Volunteer Service Award from the White House, NBA Orlando Magic Social Justice Game Changer Award, NABCJ Presidential Award, Dean’s Award for Excellence, and Dillard University Center of Racial Justice Award. She has published multiple peer-reviewed journal articles and her work has appeared in the Florida National Bar Association Newsletter; the Scholarship and Practice of Undergraduate Research Journal; Race and Justice Scholar; the Florida Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs AllPoints Bulletin; the Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency; and the Criminal Justice Policy Review.
