Sandra Pavelka, Ph.D. 
Expert in political science and justice | Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL, UNITED STATES
Sandra Pavelka is an expert in elections, law and public policy, and juvenile and restorative justice.
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Biography
Sandra Pavelka, Ph.D., is a professor of political science and public administration and founding director of the Institute for Youth and Justice Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University. She is an internationally recognized restorative justice expert and regularly serves as a political analyst for television, print and web-based media.
Pavelka studies the justice system with a focus on law and policy. She also conducts international assessments of restorative justice. In addition, her research areas include restorative justice in educational settings and gender-specific 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 (10)
Campaigns
Elections
Public Policy
Restorative Justice
Voting
Political Science
U.S. Politics
Florida Politics
Juvenile Justice
Criminal Justice
Accomplishments (4)
National Points of Light Foundation (professional)
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.
Leadership and Service Award (professional)
2017 Presented by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
Distinguished Service Award (professional)
2021 Presented by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
Leadership and Service Award (professional)
2021 Presented by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
Education (4)
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 (4)
- National Association of Community and Restorative Justice : Chair, Law and Policy Committee; Member, Advisory Council
- Twentieth Judicial Circuit of the State of Florida : Chair, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
- U.S. Congressional Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus : Member, Advisory Committee
- American Correctional Association : Member, Restorative Justice Committee
Links (1)
Selected Media Appearances (25)
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.
Demings shown as front-runner to challenge Rubio in the Florida Senate race
Spectrum News tv
2022-08-23
Sandra Pavelka discusses the Florida Senate race.
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.
Thousands of people 50+ to receive first doses in Lee County today
ABC7 tv
2021-03-24
Sandra Pavelka discusses the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.
SWFL speaks: What did you think of President Trump?
ABC7
2021-01-21
Sandra Pavelka discusses President Donald Trump's time in office.
Byron Donalds fighting to overturn election results, FL senators remain tight-lipped
NBC2 tv
2021-01-06
Sandra Pavelka discusses the Electoral College and republicans wanting to overturn the election results.
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.
Senator Rick Scott says the country hasn’t beat COVID despite Trump’s claims
NBC2 tv
2020-11-03
Sandra Pavelka discusses COVID-19 and the election.
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.
Iowa Caucus app mishap raises questions about Florida’s election system security
NBC2 tv
2020-02-05
Sandra Pavelka discusses the Iowa Caucus app mishap and if it could happen in Florida.
Despite low fundraising, Congressman Rooney will run for office again
NBC2 tv
2019-10-17
Sandra Pavelka discusses Congressman Francis Rooney's possible run for reelection.
Florida taxpayers won’t have to foot the bill for any new gun laws this fall
NBC2 tv
2019-08-26
Sandra Pavelka discusses the impact of the Parkland shooting on students.
Climate change expected to be main focus of first Democratic Debate
NBC2 tv
2019-06-24
Sandra Pavelka discusses how the topic of climate change will impact the election.
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.
Why you should start election day homework if you haven't already
ABC 7
2018-10-24
Sandra Pavelka discusses the variety of issues on ballots in 2018.
Breaking down President Trump's State of the Union address
ABC 7
2018-01-31
Sandra Pavelka, talks about four major points in President Donald Trump's State of the Union address.
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 (3)
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 (1)
Fort Myers Reentry Initiative
U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance $182,412
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 (4)
The Evolution of Balanced and Restorative Justice
Juvenile and Family Court JournalThomas, D. and S. Pavelka
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.
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