For New Dean of School of Criminal Justice, Research and Alumni Are Keys to Success

As she begins her first full semester as dean of the School of Criminal Justice, Nancy La Vigne plans on leveraging her background as both an alumna and head of the U.S. Department of Justice’s lead science agency.

The school, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, has been an international leader in the field and La Vigne is determined to advance its legacy.

“The school has had an exemplary reputation for strong scholarship and policy relevant research, and that hasn’t changed. I want to build on its strengths,’’ said La Vigne, who arrived at Rutgers-Newark in March 2025.

La Vigne, who describes herself as a proud Rutgers School of Criminal Justice alum, graduated from the doctoral program in 1996. She went on to become a widely recognized policy expert and was the presidentially appointed director of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), serving from 2022 through 2024. Her role was to invest in grants and dissemination activities focused on criminal justice research, technology and evaluation efforts.

As she returns to the School of Criminal Justice (SCJ), she’s eager to reconnect with alumni and expand their role in shaping its future.

“It’s very important to me that I prioritize getting to know the alums - professionals who understand our values and have experienced the benefits of an SCJ education. So many of them are leaders in their various areas and are doing remarkable things,” she said. 

La Vigne credits SCJ with helping her launch a career that uses the power of research to improve and reform the criminal justice system. At the Department of Justice, she presided over new research investments evaluating alternatives to 911, recruiting and retaining more women in policing, improving environments for people who are confined and working in correctional settings, and enhancing officer wellness.

Her plans at Rutgers-Newark include developing new and expanding upon existing relationships with state and local criminal justice agencies, community organizations, and philanthropic organizations.

 “There are so many ways to build relationships and partnerships that can help support student success and various research activities that have direct impacts in improving people’s lives,” she said.

Throughout her research, La Vigne’s scholarship has been defined by studies that help both communities and justice system professionals apply data. Collaborating with partners to track and measure the results of new programs and other changes is crucial, she said.

“For example, ‘we’re Rutgers, you’re state parole, and the legislature just  passed a reform package that mandates new post-release supervision practices. We can tell you the impact.’’” said La Vigne.

She intends to build on initiatives like the Newark Public Safety Collaborative, which maps and analyzes crime and community data in partnership with community members and city government to help develop collaborative crime prevention responses. 

Another goal is cross-disciplinary work with other Rutgers units, such as the School of Social Work, to address safety, well
ness, and equity issues in Newark and nearby Essex County cities, such as East Orange, Paterson, and Irvington.

La Vigne frequently speaks about the importance of “inclusive research.’’ 
She has been at the forefront of a movement to include the experiences of people who are closest to issues under study – from corrections officers and crime victims to incarcerated people and those embarking on reentry.

Research is not truly effective without these perspectives, which can help confront the historical realities of the criminal justice system, said La Vigne - a focus she does not shy away from despite the current political climate.

All told, Dean La Vigne is eager to leverage her experiences, along with faculty scholarship and expertise, to promote safety both locally and globally. “We have a tremendous opportunity as SCJ embarks upon its next 50 years and beyond. I look forward to working in partnership with students, faculty, staff, and alumni to chart an even more impactful legacy.”