Cyndy Caravelis

Biography

Cyndy Caravelis is a Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Her current research interests include interpersonal violence, social justice, and community policing. Her research on sentencing inequality has been published in journals such as <i>Justice Quarterly</i> and the <i>Journal of Quantitative Criminology</i>. She co-authored Social Justice, Criminal Justice (Routledge Press), which examined how the law has historically been used as both a tool for oppression and a vehicle for social change. Additionally, she was awarded a grant to engage in fieldwork researching the Syrian Refugee Crisis in Greece.<br><br>Dr. Caravelis is a strong proponent of engaged teaching and experiential learning. She was awarded the Service Learning Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Award and she was a 2019 cohort member of the Faculty Institute on Community Engagement. Additionally, she was the 2021 recipient of the Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award, a 2022 Finalist for the Board of Governor's Excellence in Teaching Award, and was chosen to represent WCU on the 2023 All So-Con Faculty and Staff Team. Her service to the community includes being a Board Member for the Center for Domestic Peace.<br><br>In addition to her academic endeavors, she has extensive field experience in the criminal justice system, including work as a legislative analyst for the Florida Legislature’s Commission on Capital Cases, as a crime intelligence analyst for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, as an expert witness on criminal sentencing, and as an academic instructor in both male and female correctional institutions.

Education

• Ph D, Florida State University, Criminology and Criminal Justice