Expertise
Dr. Sandra Pavelka, Ph.D. serves as Professor and Founding Director of the Institute for Youth and Justice Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University. She is Co-Project Director of the Justice for Families Project, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and Principal Evaluator of the Ft. Myers Reentry Initiative, funded by Bureau of Justice Assistance, US Department of Justice.
Dr. Pavelka is a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Dr. Pavelka is the esteemed recipient of 2024 Women in Business APEX Award by the Greater Ft. Myers Chamber of Commerce and the distinguished Lois Haight Award of Excellence and Innovation by the US Congressional Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus. Dr. Pavelka is the recipient of the eminent National Points of Light Award. Dr. Pavelka is also the recipient of the Leadership and Service Award by the Secretary of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and the McTarnaghan Teaching Award at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Dr. Pavelka previously served as Project Administrator of the Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) Project, funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. Prior to her appointment at Florida Atlantic University, she served as the Associate Director of the Center for the Study of Youth Policy at Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center. In this position, she administered the Florida and National Juvenile Detention Initiatives funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and served as Research Director for the Center.
Dr. Pavelka received her Ph.D. in Public Administration with a specialization in Justice Policy from Florida Atlantic University. Her dissertation, Practice to Policy to Management: A Restorative Justice Framework, focused on system reform and policy implementation of restorative justice nationally. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Florida International University and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Florida.
Dr. Pavelka is an internationally recognized restorative justice expert. Dr. Pavelka is Senior Advisor on Restorative Justice for Restorative Justice on the Rise and the Peace Alliance. Dr. Pavelka serves on the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice Association Advisory Council and is Chair of the Law and Policy Committee. She is a member of the Advisory Committee for the U.S. Congressional Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus. Dr. Pavelka is a Certified Family Court Mediator and Certified Restorative Justice Trainer. Dr. Pavelka has authored numerous books, book chapters, publications, and conference presentations. She has provided consultation, training and technical assistance with legislators, policymakers, justice system and educational stakeholders, victim advocates, nonprofit and community organizations in the development and implementation of restorative justice principles, practices, legislation, policies and evaluation.
Dr. Pavelka is Chair of the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, Twentieth Judicial Circuit, State of Florida and Co-Chair of the Girls Coordinating Council of Southwest Florida. Dr. Pavelka is a Political and Justice Analyst for local, state and national media. She is actively involved in service through her work in the community with the PACE Center for Girls, Girls Coordinating Council of Lee County, Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida, as well as other organizations.