Education

PhD -  Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati

MA – Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati

BA – Psychology, University of Cincinnati

Dr. Monk's scholarship, teaching, and mentorship focuses on bridging academic-practitioner partnerships to improve equity-based criminal justice policies. Her research interests include environmental criminology, crime patterns, community violence prevention, police – community relations, policing, crime policy, victimology, and disparities in the criminal justice system. Her work has been published in Crime & Delinquency, the Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, and the International Journal of Police Strategies & Management.  Dr. Monk has extensive media experience and is often sought out by media outlets to provide expert commentary and insight in crime cases. She has appeared on episodes of true-crime television programs for major cable networks and podcasts worldwide. 

In her teaching philosophy, Dr. Monk states, “My goal for students leaving my classroom at the end of each semester is the same: for each student to have a better understanding of the complexities of the criminal justice system and to provide students with specific problem-solving skills.  In short, the two pillars of my teaching philosophy are: (1) to foster critical thinking and; (2) to employ methods, such as student-centered pedagogy, so that students can illustrate their understanding of a particular topic. 

In that regard, I want to be the influential educator that fosters critical thinking on what can be emotionally difficult and controversial topics.  With the increasing focus on criminal justice issues, like police-involved shootings, campus sexual assault, or the effects of mass incarceration on communities, my pedagogical vision is one focused on developing students’ awareness of social inequality, their empathy towards others, an analytical understanding of power, violence, and abuse and how the criminal justice system relates to these issues.  Ultimately, I would like to see my students use the skills developed at Cal State LA to improve the justice system."