Staff
Andrew Krebs
Research Associate, CECH SOCJ Corrections Institute
310 VPCADMIN
Andrew Krebs received his PhD in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin (2020). Andrew’s research interests include the structural connections between criminal justice and mental health systems. His dissertation research explored the occupational role and experience of mental health professionals working in various justice-oriented settings (e.g. pre-arrest diversion, corrections, and re-entry). Prior to receiving his PhD, Andrew graduated with a MA in Sociology from DePaul University (2012) and a BA in Sociology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (2010). He is also a proud graduate of Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati, OH.
Ashleigh LaCourse
Research Associate, CECH SOCJ Corrections Institute
304 VPCADMIN
Ashleigh is a PhD candidate at Michigan State University. She previously received her MS in criminal justice from UNC Charlotte (2016), her MEd in mental health counseling from Winthrop University (2015), and her BA in justice and law from American University (2013). Her primary research interests include the impact and experience of higher education in prison, prison programming, and individuals’ experiences with incarceration and reentry. Her work can be found in Criminology & Public Policy, Crime & Delinquency, and Justice Evaluation Journal.
Ashley Rene Gregory
Program Manager, CECH SOCJ Corrections Institute
319 VPCADMIN
Ashley joined the staff of the UC Corrections Institute (UCCI) in August of 2021 and currently serves as TTA Production Coordinator, overseeing training production and logistics, overseeing UCCI's continuing education licensing, managing UCCI's training institutes, and serving as the contractor coordinator. As a student at UC, Ashley was awarded a member of Alpha Phi Sigma, the only Criminal Justice Honor Society, due to her academic excellence in Criminal Justice.
Chip Weir
University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute, CECH SOCJ Corrections Institute
VPCADMIN
Chris D'Amato
Research Associate, CECH SOCJ Corrections Institute, CECH SOCJ Corrections Institute
VPCADMIN
Chris D'Amato is research associate for the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute. As a research associate, Chris' main responsibilities include managing and leading research projects and training agencies in evidence-based practices. Chris’ research focuses on examining the validity and reliability of criminogenic risk assessments, the effects of criminal justice involvement on various life outcomes, effective correctional policy, and criminal sentencing. His professional goals center around using research to help the correctional field continue to make advancements around the treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration of justice-involved individuals. Chris previously graduated with his PhD in Criminal Justice MS in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati (2024) and a BS in criminal justice from Xavier University (2016).
Eric J Willoughby
University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute, CECH SOCJ Corrections Institute
315 VPCADMIN
Eric Willoughby received his M.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati in 2008. He currently serves as a Junior Research Associate for the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute. Eric has over eight years of clinical experience while working at River City Correctional Center (RCCC) in Hamilton County, Ohio. During his tenure at RCCC, Eric provided several treatment services while working individually with inmates applying the Principles of Effective Intervention through individual sessions and group facilitation. Eric has years of experience facilitating various treatment groups which includes Thinking for a Change and Cognitive Behavioral Interventions in Substance Abuse. In his last two years at RCCC, Eric served as the Quality Assurance Coordinator and completed multiple audits through group and individual session observations and file reviews ensuring the staff upheld various ACA and ODRC standards. Eric also served as RCCC’s liaison to the Sex Offender program, a PREA SART team member and as the lead training coordinator for the entire facility.
Jaime M. Bonecutter
Research Associate, CECH SOCJ Corrections Institute
314 VPCADMIN
Jaime Bonecutter is a Research Associate with UCCI. She earned a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 2017 from UC after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from UC in 1999. She has worked in the field of Corrections for over 23 years. At UCCI, she is a trainer in the ORAS, OYAS, LS/CMI and the YLS/CMI risk assessments, various Cognitive Behavioral Interventions curricula, and the Correctional Program Checklist. During her time at UC, she has assisted with the development of the CBI-IFR and CBI-IPV curricula and has served as a project manager.
Jennifer Scott
University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute , CECH SOCJ Corrections Institute
302 VPCADMIN
Jennifer Scott is a seasoned leader in operational excellence and strategic vision, with 20 years of experience in public relations, organizational leadership, and customer service. Having joined the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute (UCCI) in 2012, she currently serves as Director of Innovation and Outreach co-leading a dynamic team dedicated to advancing evidence-based practices in corrections through training, technical assistance, and innovative product development. Jennifer has served as Principal Investigator on numerous federal, state, and local grants, managing over cumulative $3.5 million dollars of initiatives that support corrections agencies across the country. Her expertise spans program design, contract negotiation, intellectual property management, and large-scale event coordination, including UCCI’s Annual Training Institutes. With dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music and Theatre from Northern Kentucky University, Jennifer's strengths in communication and relationship building help forge meaningful partnerships and innovation in the field. “I thrive on the edge of what’s next, tapping into creativity and strategy to bring meaningful human connection and intentionality into UCCI’s work.”
Jessica J Warner
Sr Research Associate, CECH SOCJ Corrections Institute
VPCADMIN
Dr. Warner joined the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute as a Senior Research Associate (SRA) in January 2024. As an SRA, she works with agencies, practitioners, scholars, justice-involved individuals, and her team to research, develop, disseminate, and implement evidence-based practices in corrections. Dr. Warner has served as a consultant to many correctional agencies nationally and internationally by providing training, technical assistance, and evaluation services. She earned her doctorate in Criminal Justice from the School of Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati in 2015. Her practical experience includes working as a quality improvement manager and security staff at various community correctional facilities. Her research specializations include correctional rehabilitation, reentry, justice and community collaborations, organizational climate in corrections, and victimization. She has published in Criminal Justice Policy Review, Corrections: Policy, Practice and Research, and the Journal of School Violence.
Lauren Kenney
Research Associate, CECH SOCJ Corrections Institute
VPCADMIN
Lauren Kenney is a Research Associate with the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute (UCCI), joining the team in March of 2022. Lauren holds a Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree in Criminal Justice and Public Safety from Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Prior to joining UCCI, Lauren worked for the Wyoming Department of Corrections, overseeing case management practices at the state prisons. During her tenure in Wyoming, Lauren oversaw and trained on evidence-based programs and practices offered to incarcerated individuals and led the state’s implementation of the Ohio Risk Assessment System (ORAS). At UCCI, Lauren specializes in risk assessments (particularly in the realms of continuous quality improvement and agency implementation) and Motivational Interviewing. Lauren is passionate about working closely with partners in the field in the shared commitment of client rehabilitation and community safety through the implementation and sustainable use of evidence-based practices.
Leslie Drummond
Research Manager, CECH SOCJ Corrections Institute
321B VPCADMIN
Leslie is the Research Manager at UCCI. She works with both the research and implementation teams to measure success within the Institute and with external partners. She leads a project funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention focused on system reform, while also managing, training, and assessing for the Correctional Program Checklist (CPC).
She holds a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from the George Washington University. Her background is in Experimental Psychology/Physiology with performance in extreme environmental conditions (e.g., hypoxia, spatial disorientation, fatigue) and she has worked with academic, industry, and military collaborators in support of vulnerable and under-served populations.
She holds a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from the George Washington University. Her background is in Experimental Psychology/Physiology with performance in extreme environmental conditions (e.g., hypoxia, spatial disorientation, fatigue) and she has worked with academic, industry, and military collaborators in support of vulnerable and under-served populations.
Maggie E. Schweitzer
Assoc Dir Center Operations, CECH SOCJ Corrections Institute
321A VPCADMIN
Maggie Schweitzer has been working for UCCI since 2014. First as a contract employee in the role of Training Coordinator for 3 years before becoming a staff member in January, 2017 as a Program Manager. In 2019, Maggie transitioned into her current role as Business Manager. Maggie now handles the financial aspects of the Corrections Institute, mainly by helping to create and manage the budgets on all of our projects. As part of a special project, she served as the Project Manager on our Criminogenic Need and Violent Behavior Program curriculum development project for the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AO). Maggie earned her Bachelors of Business in Supply Chain Management from Miami University and, prior to working at UCCI, worked as a Material Coordinator in the automotive manufacturing industry.
Myrinda Schweitzer Smith
Executive Director, CECH SOCJ Corrections Institute
312 VPCADMIN
Myrinda Schweitzer Smith received her Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati School of Criminal Justice and is the Executive Director of the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute. Dr. Schweitzer Smith has co-authored publications, presented nationally and internationally on effective interventions, and served as a project director for over 300 projects involving program evaluation, the development and implementation of cognitive-behavioral programs for delinquency, criminality, substance abuse, employment, and sexual offending, and effective practices for community supervision and support. She serves and participates on a multitude of advisory boards and professional organizations supporting the health and wellbeing of those working in and those impacted by the justice system. Most recently, she is actively engaged in several projects that aim to transform juvenile justice and reentry practices to positively shape lives and create safer communities.
Tammy L. Dean
Sr Research Associate, CECH SOCJ Corrections Institute
301 VPCADMIN
Tammy Dean is the Director of Applied Learning and a Senior Research Associate with the University of Cincinnati’s Corrections Institute. Mrs. Dean has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts – Lowell and has worked in the field of corrections since 2006.
Haley Elizabeth Strom
Program Coordinator, CECH SOCJ Corrections Institute
VPCADMIN
Haley Strom joined the UC Corrections Institute (UCCI) in June of 2022 and currently serves as Program Coordinator. A member of UCCI's business team, Haley supports day to day operations by overseeing scheduling of trainings, collaborating with multiple contractors and agencies. She supports dissemination and outreach efforts by maintaining UCCI’s social media platforms and creating monthly newsletters ensuring a strong online presence. As a key contributor to product development, Haley assists with proofreading, design and layout of assessments, curricula, intervention tools, training programs and more. Additionally, Haley efficiently manages the Institute's general email inbox and calendar, contributing to smooth organizational operations. Having earned her Bachelor of Business Administration here, Haley is a proud alum of the University of Cincinnati.
Kristina Veeley
Program Director UCCI, CECH SOCJ Corrections Institute
320 2830 Victory Parkway
Meghan A. Novisky
Sr Research Associate, CECH SOCJ Corrections Institute
Dr. Meghan Novisky is a Senior Research Associate for the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute. Her research investigates conditions of confinement, health-related impacts of and experiences with incarceration, and criminal justice policy and practice. She is a multi-methods scholar with expertise in original data collection and qualitative methodology. Her work has been published in a variety of peer reviewed outlets, including Criminology, Journal of Criminal Justice, British Journal of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Behavior, Justice Quarterly, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, and the Journal of Correctional Health Care. Dr. Novisky earned her PhD in Sociology from Kent State University (2016).