Shani Wilfred, PhD
Professor, General Education Coordinator, Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice at Valdosta State University
From Miami, FL
From Miami, FL
Dr. Shani Wilfred joined the Valdosta State University faculty in August 2005. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in criminal justice with a minor in public affairs from Indiana University, a Master of Arts in criminal justice from Columbia Southern University, and a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice with a minor in psychology from Taylor University. She holds membership in the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, Criminal Justice Association of Georgia, and the Southern Criminal Justice Association. She previously taught at Columbia Southern University and Indiana University.
Follow Shani
Restorative Justice
Curriculum and Pedagogy Assessment
Faith-Based Organizations
Community Based Organizations
Community Based Organizations and their involvement with offenders and the criminal justice system
Juvenile Justice Issues
juvenile waivers
ATOD
Mentally-Ill Offenders,
Community Corrections
the use of community service
probation
electronic monitoring as alternative forms of sentencing
Minorities in the Criminal Justice System
Factors Influencing Student Success
Professor at Valdosta State University
During this time period, I earned the following awards and recognitions:
* 2016 Valdosta State University, Project Innovate Grant, $45,705 for criminal justice practitioner outreach program
* 2012 Valdosta State University, Strategic Focus 2013 grant, 97,382 for development of the online
undergraduate and graduate criminal justice program
* 2011 Valdosta State University, Strategic Focus 2012 grant, 100,880 for development of the online undergraduate and graduate criminal justice program
* 2010 Valdosta State University, Strategic Focus 2011 grant, 105,000 for development of the online undergraduate and graduate criminal justice program
* 2010 Valdosta State University, Quality Enhancement Plan Grant, $40,000 for Borderland Cultural Immersion Experience Project
* 2009 Valdosta State University African American Studies (AFA) Teacher of the Year Award
* 2008 Taylor University Fort Wayne Distinguished Young Alumna for Professional Achievement Award
August 2014 - Present
Adjunct Instructor at Columbia Southern University
During this time period, I earned the following awards and recognitions:
* 2014 Columbia Southern University, Robert Mayes Sr. Distinguished Faculty Award
July 2011 - August 2016
Tenure at Valdosta State University
August 2010 - Present
Associate Professor at Valdosta State University
August 2009 - August 2010
Graduate Faculty at Valdosta State University
May 2006 - Present
Assistant Professor at Valdosta State University
August 2005 - May 2006
Assistant Instructor at Indiana University
August 1999 - May 2005
The role of Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) in the field
Wilfred, S. P., Rivers, J, & Mills, A. (2016). Law Enforcement Executive Forum, 16(4), 76-85.
Articles
Gang risk factors and academic readiness in a southern middle school
Martinez, J., Tost, J., Wilfred, S., & Hilgert, L. (2014). Georgia Educational Researcher, 11(2), 1-45.

Articles
University Victimization Policy: Using Lessons Learned from Sexual Assault Policy to Address Multiple Forms of Victimization on University Campuses
Wilfred, S.P., Izzard, W., & Wells, K.C. (2013). Law Enforcement Executive Forum, 13(1), 128-137.
Articles
Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) and the Criminal Justice System: What do they do?
Wilfred, S.P., & Black, M. (2011). Law Enforcement Executive Forum, 11(4), 101-112.
Articles
Mississippi Burning
Gray, S.P. (2007). In S. M. Chermak & F. Y. Bailey (Eds.), Crimes and Trials of the Century, Vol.1 (pp.247-268). Westport, CN: Praeger.
Publications
Criminal justice Studies: Community, family and faith
Gray, S.P. 2008. Oak Forest, IL: JW Press
Others
Alliance for Justice
Gray, S.P. (2009). In H. T. Green & S. L. Gabbidon (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Crime, Volume 1 (pp.11-12). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Others
Review of the book Good punishment? Christian moral practice and U.S. Imprisonment
Gray, S.P. (2009). International Criminal Justice Review, 19(4), 503-505.
Others
Review of the book. Bad Pastors: Clergy misconduct in modern America
Gray, S.P. (2004). Criminal Justice Review, 29(1), 254-256.
Others
Personality Highlight: Juveniles and the Death Penalty, In D. Champion, The Juvenile Justice System: Delinquency, Processing, and the Law
Sandys, M., & Gray, S.P. (2004), 4th ed. (p.189-192). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Others
The Dark Side of Nonprofits
ARNOVA ABSTRACTS 25:2, Guest editor, 2002.
Others
Valdosta State University Gateways to Completion Act & Refine
Wilfred, S.P. (2019, forthcoming). (Report). Brevard, NC: Gardner Institute.
Others
Focusing on the real and perceived interactions of Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) and the Criminal Justice System (CJS)
Wilfred, S. P., Rivers, J, & Jenkins, D. (submitted for review August 2019). Research Study. Journal of Ethnographic and Qualitative Research.
Others
Valdosta State University Gateways to Completion Act & Monitor Phases 2-4 (Report)
Wilfred, S.P. (2019). Brevard, NC: Gardner Institute.
Others
Valdosta State University Gateways to Completion Act & Monitor Phases 1 (Report)
Wilfred, S.P. (2018). Brevard, NC: Gardner Institute.
Others
Valdosta State University Gateways to Completion Comprehensive Report and Plan (Report)
Wilfred, S.P. (2017). Brevard, NC: Gardner Institute.
Others
Examples of Interconnectedness of the Momentum Year
Session Presentation, JNGI Community of Practice Meeting, Grand Hyatt, Atlanta, GA, March 15, 2019.
Presentations
Examples of Interconnectedness of the Momentum Year
Session Presentation, University System of Georgia Gateways to Completion Meeting, Middle Georgia State University, Macon, GA, October 17, 2018.
Presentations
FBOs in the CJS: Emergent Themes
Paper Presentation, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences of (ACJS) Conference, Kansas City, MO, March 24, 2017.
Presentations
Focusing on the real and perceived interactions of Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) and the Criminal Justice System (CJS)
Paper Presentation, Criminal Justice Association of Georgia (CJAG) Conference, Morrow, GA, November 6, 2015.
Presentations
Behavior Modification through the Use of Color: Reality or Perception
Paper Presentation, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences of (ACJS) Conference, Dallas, TX, March 20, 2013.
Presentations
Sexual Attitudes, Behaviors, and Experiences at a Southern Regional University
Paper Presentation, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences of (ACJS) Conference, San Diego, CA, February 27, 2010.
Presentations
TLA - Teach Students How to Learn: The Key to Improving Success in Gateway Courses!
Discussion Moderator, Webinar, Idea Center, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA, April 16, 2019.
Others
Jails: Diversion, therapy, suicide and mental health
Panel Moderator, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences of (ACJS) Conference, Dallas, TX, March 20, 2013.
Others
Conference on Applied Learning in Higher Education (CALHE)
Session Moderator, Missouri Western University, St. Joe, MO, February 25-26, 2011
Conferences
Focus Group Title: Supervision
Focus Group Moderator, Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA, April 29, 2010.
Others
Panel Title: Special Victims: Perspectives on child murder and sexual violence
Panel Moderator, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences of (ACJS) Conference, San Diego, CA, February 27, 2010.
Others
2015 Stop the Violence Youth Summit Address Focus: Responding positively to conflict
Keynote Speaker, Advancing Valdosta, Valdosta, GA, July 11, 2015.
Others
Lecture Title: Accountability: Am I My Brother’s Keeper?
Guest Lecturer, Valdosta Youth Leadership Council, Power + Camp, Valdosta, GA, April 2, 2009.
Others
Lecture Title: Life Choices and Headlines
Guest Lecturer, Valdosta Youth Leadership Council, Power, Potential, Purpose Workshop, Valdosta, GA, September 6, 2008.
Others
Lecture Title: Victim Awareness, Resources & Solutions
Guest Lecturer, Valdosta State Prison, Lifers Group, Valdosta, GA, April 18, 2008.
Others
Lecture Title: Life Choices and Headlines
Guest Lecturer, Valdosta State University, African-American Male Initiative, HEROES Institute, Valdosta, GA, April 22, 2006.
Others
Workshop Title: Leading a Diverse Workforce 2.0
Co-Facilitator, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA November 15, 2017, June 26, 2019.
Others
Workshop Title: G2C Faculty Development Summer Retreat at CELT
Co-Facilitator, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA May 20-21, 2019, May 27-28, 2019, June 3-6, 2019.
Others
Workshop Title: Leading a Diverse Workforce
Co-Facilitator, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA November 15, 2017, May 23, 2018, May 22, 2019.
Others
VSU Comprehensive Report and Plan
Publications