Sandra Pavelka, Ph.D.
Expert in political science, justice, law and public policy Florida Gulf Coast University
- Fort Myers FL
Sandra Pavelka is an expert in American politics and elections, law and public policy, and juvenile and restorative justice.
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Biography
Pavelka studies the justice system with a focus on law, policy and reform. In addition, her research areas include restorative justice, juvenile justice, law, public policy, justice reform, juvenile justice, American politics and elections, and gender-responsive and trauma-informed programming. She is actively involved in service in the community with the PACE Center for Girls, Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida, Impact Initiative of Southwest Florida and other organizations.
Areas of Expertise
Accomplishments
Women in Business APEX Award
2024
Presented by the Greater Ft. Myers Chamber of Commerce, the Women in Business APEX Award recognizes women in business who have displayed excellent leadership, mentorship, community involvement and career success in Southwest Florida.
Learn more at: https://eaglenews.org/32228/news/fgcu-professor-wins-2024-women-in-business-apex-award/
Lois Haight Award of Excellence and Innovation
2023
Presented by the Congressional Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus, this award is named after a former California judge who served as the 1982 President’s Task Force on Victims of Crime chair. Award recipients have significantly impacted the rights of and policies for crime survivors.
Learn more about Dr. Pavelka's award at https://fgcu360.com/2023/06/29/professor-receives-national-honor-for-work-to-better-lives-of-crime-survivors/
Leadership and Service Award
2021
Presented by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
Distinguished Service Award
2021
Presented by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
Leadership and Service Award
2017
Presented by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
National Points of Light Foundation
2016
"The George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards honors individuals who demonstrate the transformative power of service, and who are driving significant and sustained impact through their everyday actions and words that light the path for other points of light."
Learn more about Dr. Pavelka's service to the Foundation at https://www.pointsoflight.org/awards/youth-leader-spearheads-town-halls-for-kids-and-teens-to-discuss-substance-abuse.
Education
Florida Atlantic University
Ph.D.
Public Administration
2000
Concentration: Justice Policy
Florida International University
M.P.A.
Public Policy
1989
University of Florida
B.A.
Political Science
1985
American University
Washington Semester
National Government and Politics
1985
Affiliations
- European Forum on Restorative Justice, Law and Policy Committee
- Girls Coordinating Council of Southwest Florida, Co-Chair
- Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, former Chair
- National Association of Community and Restorative Justice, Law and Policy Committee, former Chair
- National Organization of Victims Advocacy, Public Policy Advisory Committee
- U.S. Congressional Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus, Advisory Committee
Selected Media Appearances
The long, strange journey of Florida's budget
WGCU tv
2025-06-30
Sandra Pavelka joins WGCU Host John Davis to break down key budget points and what happens now that the legislation heads to Governor DeSantis' desk for approval.
Will John Morgan run for Florida governor after creating a third party?
Gulf Coast News tv
2025-02-27
Sandra Pavelka explains John Morgan's chances of launching a political career as a high-profile third-party candidate.
Political Analysis: President Joe Biden drop out of race. What's next?
WGCU radio
2024-07-22
Sandra Pavelka reacts to President Biden's decision to step aside after pressure from Democratic allies.
EXCLUSIVE: Lee County’s little-known crime & punishment program: Is it a true restorative process?
WINK News tv
2023-10-09
Sandra Pavelka explains restorative justice and how it works best for a community.
Vice President Harris makes frequent stops to the Sunshine State, vows more are on the way
Spectrum News online
2023-08-16
Sandra Pavelka gives expert insight into what is happening this campaign cycle.
DeSantis talks Florida economy, education at presidential campaign stop in Orlando
News 6 tv
2023-07-26
Sandra Pavelka explains what is happening on the campaign trail.
CS Florida Republicans back Trump amid arrest claim
Spectrum News tv
2023-03-20
Sandra Pavelka talks about the dynamics of the Republican presidential primary race.
Hundreds of Lee County ballots will be destroyed after not meeting election deadline
ABC7 tv
2022-11-15
Sandra Pavelka explains why some Lee County mail-in ballots will not get counted.
New domestic violence unit & task force created in Fort Myers
NBC2 tv
2022-11-02
Sandra Pavelka talks about a partnership between FGCU, The Fort Myers Police Department and ACT and the creation of a new domestic violence unit and task force
The reason false political ads are allowed to run on TV stations
NBC2 tv
2022-09-09
Sandra Pavelka explains why false political ads are allowed to run on television.
Not just DeSantis-Crist: inside Florida's other statewide races for November
Fox 4 tv
2022-08-29
Sandra Pavelka discusses Florida's statewide races ahead of November.
Emotions boil over into SWFL following Roe v. Wade ruling
NBC2 tv
2022-06-24
Sandra Pavelka discusses the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and how it could impact Florida.
Your voice silenced: How lawmakers often undercut what you said you want
ABC7 tv
2022-05-13
Sandra Pavelka discusses ballot initiatives.
Florida’s ‘election police force’ puzzles SWFL officials
NBC2 tv
2022-04-27
Sandra Pavelka discusses the state of Florida's idea of an election police force.
Project Safe Neighborhoods: new initiative looks to prevent crime in SWFL
Fox 4 tv
2021-05-13
Sandra Pavelka discusses the initiative, Project Safe Neighborhoods.
SWFL speaks: What did you think of President Trump?
ABC7
2021-01-21
Sandra Pavelka discusses President Donald Trump's time in office.
Here’s why Democrats didn’t win any big races in Florida
NBC2 tv
2020-11-06
Sandra Pavelka discusses how national politics can impact local races.
Breaking down your ballot: Amendment 4
NBC2 tv
2020-10-16
Sandra Pavelka discusses Amendment 4.
First presidential debate leaves voters feeling anxious
NBC2 tv
2020-10-01
Sandra Pavelka discusses the first presidential debate between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden.
George H.W. Bush inspired Southwest Floridians to live life of service
ABC 7
2018-12-05
Sandra Pavelka talks about her Point of Light award, where she was named in President Bush's honor.
A $1 million DOJ grant could help lower the recidivism rate in Fort Myers
News - Press
2018-11-05
Sandra Pavelka discusses her work on a study with the Fort Myers Police Department that is meant to help felons re-enter society.
Youth leader spearheads town halls for kids and teens to discuss substance abuse
Points of Light
2016-08-30
Sandra Pavelka is honored by Points of Light.
Selected Event Appearances
Restorative Justice in Criminal Legal System Reform: An International Comparative Analysis
European Group for Public Administration Conference, University of Glasgow Scotland, United Kingdom
2025-08-27
Perceptions of Environmental Governance: International Perspectives of Government Performance
European Group for Public Administration Conference, University of Glasgow Scotland, United Kingdom
2025-08-27
Guiding Principles and Restorative Practices for Crime Victims and Survivors
National Organization for Victim Advocacy virtual
2025-07-23
Restorative Justice Law and Policy Plenary Panel
National Conference on Community and Restorative Justice Washington, DC
2024-07-31
Political Strategies, Challenges, and Trends: Moving Forward to Accomplish a Successful Agenda
National Conference on Community and Restorative Justice Washington, DC
2024-07-31
Recidivism, Emotional Empathy, Adverse Childhood Events, and Emotion Management Skills of Released Prisoners who Participated in a Brief Restorative Justice Intervention
Reintegration and Recovery among People in Forensic Mental Health and Criminal Legal Systems Sydney, Australia
2023-06-20
Restorative Justice Lawmaking and Legal System Reform
National Conference on Community and Restorative Justice Chicago, IL
2022-07-07
Restorative Justice Public Policy and Law: An International Assessment and Future Perspectives
RJ World E-Conference Virtual
2022-04-23
Guiding Principles for Restorative Justice and Victims and Survivors
National Center for Victims of Crime National Conference Atlanta, Georgia
2021-10-07
Keynote: Advocating for All: The Intersection of Domestic Violence and Incarceration
National Center for Victims of Crime National Conference Atlanta, Georgia
2021-10-06
Selected Research Grants
Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse (CJMHSA) Planning Grant
Florida Department of Children and Families and Lee County, Florida
The focus of this planning grant will be to address the needs of individuals at the Bob Janes Empowerment Center (BJEC) in Lee County, FL by expanding the strategic plan for Goal 3: Expand service provider awareness and capacity and Goal 5: Explore Co-Responder Models by creating a collaborative strategy for coordination, communication and data sharing with stakeholders, incorporating opioid strategies to adapt existing service capacity to better address unique recovery-oriented needs of the target population, and incorporate evidence-based treatment practices to improve outcomes and quality assurance initiatives.
Justice for Families Project
Lee County, Florida and the United Way
Abuse Counseling and Treatment, Inc. (ACT), Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), and the Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD) were selected to receive grant funding that allows us to partner with the Lee County Clerk of Courts (LCOC), and the 20th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office to develop and implement the Justice for Families Project. The project aims to create a more effective, comprehensive, and coordinated community response to the harms caused by domestic violence and related crimes in our community.
Fort Myers Reentry Initiative
U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance
The Fort Myers Police Department in collaboration with Florida Gulf Coast University, was awarded a 3-year $1 million grant, funded by the Office of Justice Programs, US Department of Justice, entitled Ft. Myers Reentry Initiative. Dr. Pavelka serves as the Principal Evaluator on the grant. The goal of project is to implement the Innovations in Reentry Initiative model by developing and implementing a comprehensive and collaborative reentry process designed to reduce recidivism among reentering offenders who are at medium to high risk for recidivating and to improve public safety.
Selected Articles
A Restorative Justice Intervention in United States Prisons: Implications of Intervention Timing, Age, and Gender on Recidivism
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative CriminologyRichner, K.A., S. Pavelka, and D. McChargue
2022
Restorative justice interventions (RJIs) offer an alternative method to reduce harm and short- and long-term recidivism. However, empirical validation of mechanisms and moderating factors warrant additional inquiry within jail and prison settings. Thus, The authors sought to examine RJI delivery timing on recidivism outcomes with age and gender as moderators.
Restorative Justice Interventions
Corrections TodayMcChargue, D., S. Pavelka and J. Kennedy
2020
Restorative justice principles suggest that probation, imprisonment, and other types of typical reparations for criminal behavior strengthen by holding the offender accountable while developing a better understanding of the implications of their crime on the victim and survivor, their family, and the community. Experts propose that enhanced accountability subsequently decreases the likelihood of recidivism by placing the focus on the offender reintegrating as a productive member of society. While restorative justice is not a new term or practice, these concepts and applications are continually being refined and adapted.
Guiding Principles and Restorative Practices for Crime Victims and Survivors
Corrections TodayPavelka, S. and A. Seymour
2019
The ultimate goal of restorative justice is to repair the harm caused by a wrongful incident while addressing the needs of the victim, offender, and the community. Opportunities are provided for those most directly affected by crime to be involved in responding to its impact. This approach ultimately seeks to address the myriad of needs of victims and ensure individual and community safety, while the alleged or convicted defendant is held accountable and develops competencies in order to become a better and more productive person.
The Evolution of Balanced and Restorative Justice
Juvenile and Family Court JournalS. Pavelka and D. Thomas
2019
Maloney, Armstrong, and Romig presented a portrait of “Joey,” who was the exemplar of what was wrong with the juvenile justice system, in 1988 when they published The Balanced Approach in this Journal. In response, they reimagined a juvenile justice system predicated on balancing three fundamental goals—protection of community, accountability to victims, and development of competencies to prepare juvenile court-involved youth for productive roles in their communities. The authors examine the evolution of balanced and restorative justice and re-imagine how Joey's life may have been different at critical junctures of his juvenile court involvement.
Restorative Justice in the States: An Analysis of Statutory Legislation and Policy
Pavelka, S.Justice Policy Journal
2016
Two distinct models have guided justice systems in recent decades–individual treatment/rehabilitation and retributive justice. The organizational mission and goals of the justice system have become internally inconsistent as these systems attempt to satisfy competing goals, such as punishment, rehabilitation and community safety. As such, lawmakers and justice system administrators seek to clarify the aims of justice management and policy, while exploring possibilities for the future of the justice system.
Performance Measurement in Juvenile Justice: Developing and Implementing Model Reporting Systems
PerspectivesPavelka, S. and D. Thomas
2016
To accomplish the desired outcomes, jurisdictions are responding to the need for transparency and accountability by developing measures for performance. This article identifies six steps for developing and implementing performance measures for juvenile justice systems. These measures, successfully applied in several jurisdictions nationally, are essential in furthering dialogue and expanding these methods for implementation in current and future justice systems, thus creating more efficient and effective internal systems.
Practices and Policies for Implementing Restorative Justice Within Schools
The Prevention ResearcherPavelka, S.
2013
School administrators and teachers are faced with resolving disputes and misconduct in an expeditious and peaceful manner, while at the same time, addressing the needs of youth. Restorative justice is transforming the way that these decision makers are thinking about and responding to wrongful occurrences. This approach seeks to balance the needs of the victim and the school community with consequences and accountability for the wrongdoer. Restorative justice models provide schools with the opportunity to improve school culture by addressing disciplinary standards and creating a forum for peaceful resolution of conflict and misbehavior. These models seek to determine the impact of the incident and establish a mutual, prescriptive agreement for resolving and repairing the harm caused by the wrongdoing (Pavelka, 2011). This article will first discuss the core principles of restorative justice and its applications in educational settings. Then it will examine necessary support systems for successful implementation and the potential challenges that schools face.
