Rodriguez sworn in as director of National Institute of Justice

Nancy Rodriguez, a professor on leave from the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, was officially sworn into office as the director of the National Institute of Justice, the scientific research arm of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington D.C.  Rodriguez was nominated by President Barack Obama in October. She replaces noted criminologist John Laub, who returned to the University of Maryland.

Rodriguez is a nationally recognized scholar on issues relating to juvenile justice, race and crime. Her research includes evaluations of drug courts and restorative justice programs. She is currently involved in a longitudinal study of families whose mothers or fathers are serving time in state prison.

"The faculty and staff of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice are extremely proud that Dr. Rodriguez is now leading such an influential agency," says Cassia Spohn, director of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. "It is a fitting tribute to her record of research and scholarship and an acknowledgment of her standing in the field."

Rodriguez joined Arizona State University in 1998 after receiving her doctoral degree in political science from Washington State University. She was given the Coramae Richey Mann Award from the American Society of Criminology and the W.E.B. DuBois Award from the Western Society of Criminology. Rodriguez previously served as associate dean for student engagement in ASU's Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.