About the Institute
Mission Statement
The mission of the Institute for Youth and Justice Studies is to further studies relating to policies and practices of youth development and juvenile justice. The Institute's work will impact the Southwest Florida region, the State of Florida, and the nation. The Institute will be cross disciplinary, incorporating the fields of criminal justice, public administration, and social work. The Institute will apply to the Division of Justice Studies with the Bachelor of Science degrees in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies. The Institute will draw from expertise within the Division of Public Affairs with the Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and the Master of Public Administration with the Administration of Justice Concentration as well as the Division of Social Work and the Bachelor's and Master's of Social Work degrees. The Institute will provide a research setting conducive to the development and application of policies and practices relating to youth development and juvenile justice.
Enhancement of the FGCU Mission
The Institute for Youth and Justice Studies fulfills the mission of Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) as it "infuses the strengths of the traditional university with innovation and learning-centered spirit, its chief aim being to fulfill the academic, cultural, social, and career expectations of it's constituents" by the development and implementation of research, practical application, and training in the area of youth development and juvenile justice. Faculty, students, colleagues, and community will serve as collaborators as a means to accomplish this mission.
Further, several goals stated in the university's mission will be accomplished, including pursuing academic excellence, embracing diversity in its students (in an increasingly diverse profession), nurturing community partnership (with juvenile justice, youth development, and child welfare stakeholders), valuing public service, and keeping the advancement of knowledge and pursuit of truth as noble ideals at the heart of the University's purpose (by providing advanced and applied research, education, technical assistance, and practitioner training that is beginning to require higher educational standards).
Goals
To advance the theoretical and applied perspectives in the disciplines of youth development and juvenile justice.
This goal will be accomplished by further advancing faculty work on theoretical perspectives and applied research projects through the incorporation of these ideals in grant proposals, research projects, education, and continued collaborations with community and system partners.
2. To solicit funding to facilitate research for FGCU faculty, students, and practitioners.
The Institute Director and Senior Faculty Associates will actively develop contract and grant proposals to advance research projects utilizing FGCU faculty and students. Practitioners within the applicable fields will also be invited to work with Institute staff on proposals where appropriate.
3. To engage local, regional, and national experts from the various justice disciplines to provide practitioner and student education and training.
The Institute will coordinate at least one conference, symposium, or forum each semester. These events will bring in local, regional, state, and federal expertise in the applicable topic areas. Continued collaboration with justice and community partners in co-sponsoring events will also be a priority.
4. To publish the results of collaborative research for purposes of scholarship, replication, and empirical analysis.
The Director and Senior Faculty Associates will publish the results of the research in monographs, peer-reviewed journals, and publications in related disciplines. A bi-annual newsletter will be published by the Institute that will include articles that highlight grant projects and research.
5. To establish sister center relationships with national and/or international institutes with similar missions and goals.
Juvenile justice is a national and international topic of interest to criminologists and policy researchers. The Director and Senior Faculty Associates will explore partnerships with other centers. These partnerships will benefit the research agendas of the faculty involved with the center and be a conduit for best practices in juvenile justice and youth development to be dispersed to the community.
