Board of Directors
Dr. Debra Heath-Thornton has educated herself and worked, almost exclusively in western New York. Prior to her academic career her service included positions as Crime Victim Advocate, STOP DWI Coordinator, and Criminal Justice Planner. Her academic career spans high school teaching and full-time and part-time teaching at the collegiate level.
Dr. Heath-Thornton holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Rochester Institute of Technology, a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Buffalo State College, Master’s Degree in Education from Buffalo State College, and a Doctor of Education from University of Rochester. She served 8 years on the faculty of Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester, New York where for much of her tenure she was Director of the Criminal Justice and Sociology Programs.
Dr. Heath-Thornton recently accepted a position as Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice on the faculty of Messiah College in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area. There she was instrumental in developing a baccalaureate degree program in Criminal Justice. Her research interests include Restorative Justice, Comparative Criminal Justice Systems, Juvenile Justice Systems, and Chaplaincy Training.
