Cyndy Caravelis
Professor | Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC, UNITED STATES
Cyndy Caravelis's research interests include the relationship between social threat and social control, and minorities and crime.
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Biography
Cyndy Caravelis is a professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Her current research interests include the relationship between social threat and social control, the effect of inequality on criminal justice policy, social justice, and minorities and crime. Her research on sentencing inequality has been published in journals such as Justice Quarterly and the Journal of Quantitative Criminology. Recent work has included an examination of race and crime and the Black Lives Matter movement. She co-authored Social Justice, Criminal Justice (Routledge), 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.
Caravelis is a strong proponent of engaged teaching and experiential learning. She was awarded the Service Learning Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Award and was a 2019 cohort member of the Faculty Institute on Community Engagement. She has led study abroad trips to South Africa, New Zealand, France, Germany and England. Her service to the community includes being a board member for the Center for Domestic Peace.
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.
Last but not least, Caravelis enjoys moonlit paddles and a nice Chianti.
Industry Expertise (3)
Writing and Editing
Education/Learning
Research
Areas of Expertise (5)
Minorities and Crime
Social Justice
Criminology
Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice Policy
Accomplishments (3)
Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award (professional)
2021
Outstanding Community Service Award (professional)
2021
Service Learning Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Award (professional)
2014
Education (3)
Florida State University: Ph.D., Criminology and Criminal Justice 2007
Florida State University: M.S., Criminology and Criminal Justice 2002
Florida State University: B.A., Criminology and Criminal Justice 2000
Affiliations (5)
- Center for Domestic Peace : Board Member
- Society for the Study of Social Problems
- American Society of Criminology
- Southern Criminal Justice Association
- North Carolina Criminal Justice Society
Links (3)
Languages (1)
- English
Media Appearances (3)
Caravelis begins pilot program for therapy dog to aid domestic violence victims
WCU Stories online
2020-10-07
An initiative by Cyndy Caravelis, associate professor of criminology and criminal justice at Western Carolina University, will include a pilot program to use a therapy dog to aid domestic violence victims and their families in Jackson County.
Protect and serve: Sylva Police Department pilots social work program
Smoky Mountain News online
2022-01-12
Western Carolina University professors Katy Allen and Cyndy Caravelis were two of the many people engaged in such discussions. Allen, an assistant professor of social work, wanted to investigate how social workers might help improve law enforcement. She reached out to Caravelis, a professor of criminal justice, to partner on the effort. The two got deep into the weeds, researching the relationship between social work, police and criminal justice agencies.
Campus police department forms community advisory committee
WCU Stories online
2021-02-24
The committee is made up of students, faculty and staff. The committee officers are Cyndy Caravelis (faculty) – chair; Tristan Benson (student) – co-chair; Christopher Perrine (student) – secretary.
Event Appearances (5)
Risk and Protective Factors in Self-Reported Alcohol Use among College Students
Annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology Washington D.C.
Comparison of Self-Reported Crime and Official Crime Statistics at Western Carolina University
Annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology San Francisco, CA
Capital Punishment Opinions from the Legal Profession
Western Criminology Society Meeting Honolulu, HI
They Said What? Examining Law Enforcement Attitudes on Capital Punishment
American Society of Criminology Meeting Atlanta, GA
Bridging the Gap Between Researchers and Practitioners in North Carolina
Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Criminal Justice Association Raleigh, NC
Research Grants (4)
Microgrant
Western Carolina University $1000
2010
Professional Development Grant
Western Carolina University $1200
2014
Summer Research Grant
College of Health and Human Sciences $3000
2013
Summer Research Grant
College of Health and Human Sciences $2500
2012
Articles (4)
National College Health Assessment Measuring Negative Alcohol-Related Consequences among College Students
American Journal of Public Health Research2013 Alcohol-related consequences among students have been a source of concern for colleges nationwide. Prior research shows that alcohol may lower a person’s inhibitions and reduce their capacity to make responsible, safe decisions.
Race, Ethnicity, Threat, and the Designation of Career Offenders
Justice Quarterly2011 Florida statutes allow for the application of enhanced sentences to defendants designated as “Career Offenders.” The application of these laws is discretionary and as such, prosecutors seek the designation for a fraction of the defendants who qualify.
Perceptions of Law Enforcement Officers on Capital Punishment in the United States
International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences2013 As scholars and legislators debate the efficacy of capital punishment, research has played a significant role in supporting arguments on both sides of the issue. Studies on the death penalty in North Carolina, United States, have ranged from examining the effects of race and sex on capital case outcomes to polling the general public on their personal support for the death penalty.
Static and Dynamic Indicators of Minority Threat in Sentencing Outcomes: A Multi-Level Analysis
Journal of Quantitative Criminology2011 Designation as a “Habitual Offender” is an enhanced form of punishment which unlike, “Three Strikes” or “10-20-Life,” is entirely discretionary. We use Hierarchical Generalized Linear Modeling to assess the direct effects of race and Latino ethnicity on the designation of Habitual Offenders as well as the effect of both static and dynamic indicators of racial and ethnic threat on those outcomes.
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