Faculty Focus Friday | Q & A With Dr. Cicely J. Cottrell, PhD. Chair of School of Criminal Justice Studies

Faculty Focus Friday is a Q&A series that highlights individual faculty members in various academic programs around Spalding University. In honor of Criminal Justice Day on October 24, this week’s Q&A features Dr. Cicely J. Cottrell, PhD, Associate Professor and Chair at the School of Criminal Justice Studies.

I chose to teach at Spalding University because it aligns with my core values of compassion, love, mercy, and forgiveness. It also provided the opportunity to develop and implement a sustainable undergraduate criminal justice program rooted in restorative justice. At Spalding, students have the chance to engage in meaningful debates about the concept of justice in a democratic society and work on creating concrete solutions.

My academic focus is on juvenile justice policy and restorative justice, with a particular emphasis on reducing racial disparities and preventing violence. Alongside Dr. Amanda Roberts, assistant professor of criminal justice studies, we are interviewing a network of key stakeholders in juvenile justice, health and wellness, child welfare, and education in Louisville, Kentucky. Our goal is to address the inequities black girls face in the system and advocate for policy changes that will reduce their involvement with the legal system.

A Criminal Justice degree offers diverse career opportunities (e.g., police officer, FBI agent, lawyer, researcher, youth advocate, crime scene investigator), a growing job market, and the chance to make a positive impact by helping communities. Students gain transferable skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making, with average salaries ranging from $60-153K. It also serves as a pathway to further education, such as graduate or law school, and offers hands-on work for those seeking dynamic roles.

My goal is to inspire students to harness their discretion and influence in developing innovative solutions to the challenges of crime and the criminal justice system, rooted in humanity and dignity, with a restorative approach that focuses on healing rather than punishment. I emphasize compassion and forgiveness in responses to crime, ensuring solutions reflect the worth of every individual, and that both victims and offenders are treated with dignity. My aim is to empower students to become compassionate leaders who create lasting, positive change that reflects our shared values of justice, mercy, and community well-being.

My focus on restorative justice and juvenile justice policy address contemporary challenges in the criminal justice system, particularly racial and ethnic disparities. By encouraging critical thinking, compassion, and ethical decision-making, my courses inspire students to actively engage in solutions that are just, humane, and effective.

My emphasis on service-learning encourages students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world settings, reinforcing Spalding’s mission of service and community engagement. Restorative circles in the classroom also play a vital role in building community and fostering a positive learning environment.

One interesting item I keep in my office is a world globe. It serves not only as a decorative piece but also as a reminder of the global context of our work. I use it to spark conversations about different cultures, social justice issues worldwide, and the impact of criminal justice policies in various countries. Additionally, it helps students visualize the interconnectedness of communities and the importance of a global perspective in understanding local issues. For a personal touch, I also have inspirational quotes and drawings from my niece.