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The Hidden Curriculum Fellowship

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Due January 31, 2023 (11:59 PM CST)

Sponsored by

Researcher Development Institute

Researcher Development Institute

2025 Cohort

Dr. Kashley L. Brown

Dr. Kashley L. Brown is a tenured Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Grambling State University, where she teaches master’s and doctoral students and mentors emerging scholars.
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Her research focuses on the intersections of race, corrections, crime, and juvenile justice, with particular attention to how correctional institutions respond to crises. She has developed collaborative projects with graduate students, including the recent article titled “A Neutral of Law Enforcement Preparedness and Responses to Inmates During Hurricane Katrina,” completed with the inaugural cohort of the Ph.D. program. Dr. Brown has contributed to the field as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Humanity and Society and as a fellow at Texas Southern University’s Research Institute for Justice Studies, and she regularly presents her work at academic conferences. She is currently leading a documentary project that examines how law enforcement officers affected by Hurricane Katrina have navigated the long-term impacts of the disaster.

Dr. Melody D. Threadcraft

Dr. Melody D. Threadcraft is Chair of the Criminal Justice Department and Division Chair of the Social and Behavioral Sciences at Jarvis Christian University, where she leads academic programs and faculty development.
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Her research examines victimization, police–public contact, and the gendered dimensions of community supervision, especially the experiences of women on probation and parole, and increasingly explores the integration of artificial intelligence in the criminal justice system. She has created work-based learning pathways that connect internships, apprenticeships, and service-learning to industry-recognized micro-credentials supported by competitive grant funding. As a UNCF AI+ fellow, Open Educational Resources advocate, and fellow with the Center for Justice Research, Dr. Threadcraft collaborates with institutional and community partners to expand access to justice-focused education and training. Her efforts have strengthened pipelines into law enforcement, courts, corrections, victim services, and community advocacy for justice-impacted and first-generation students.

Dr. Kaelynne J. Mason

Dr. Kaelynne J. Mason is Graduate Program Director and Adjunct Faculty in Criminal Justice and Law at Texas Southern University, where she oversees graduate programming and teaches courses that bridge theory and practice.
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Her work focuses on professional and personal development for educators and students, approaches to addressing and managing delinquent behavior, and the design of de-escalation programs tailored for law enforcement officers. Dr. Mason brings extensive experience in strategic planning, instructional design, curriculum development, and leadership consulting for universities, nonprofit organizations, and churches, allowing her to build applied and scalable educational solutions. She is a graduate of Regent University’s Doctor of Strategic Leadership program, with a strong emphasis on integrating educational technology and effective leadership practices into higher education. Her award-winning curriculum, Empowering Excellence: Nurturing Professionalism, Emotional Intelligence, and Life Skills in College Students, which received the Outstanding Project Award from Regent University, reflects her commitment to innovative, student-centered learning.

Dr. Andra Collins

Dr. Andra Collins is an educator, research scientist, and community engagement leader in higher education, with more than 20 years of experience in agriculture, youth development, and workforce education.
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Her work centers on organizational health, food equity, and increasing agricultural literacy, with an emphasis on how education and outreach can strengthen community resilience and access to resources. She has led programs that integrate project-based learning, agricultural literacy, and conservation practices while advancing food security and equity initiatives across diverse communities. Dr. Collins collaborates with students, educators, and community partners to design hands-on, inclusive learning experiences that connect classroom knowledge to real-world challenges. Through her research and engagement, she continues to advocate for sustainable development and food equity across the South and in global contexts.

Dr. Shannon A. Davenport

Dr. Shannon A. Davenport holds a Doctorate in Juvenile Justice and is a scholar and educator whose work engages key questions in criminology and justice reform.
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Her research and teaching span criminological theory, police legitimacy, stress and emotional regulation, juvenile delinquency, law enforcement engagement, and research methods, with a consistent focus on evidence-based approaches to change. She develops and analyzes strategies to improve how justice institutions interact with individuals and communities, paying particular attention to the links between policy, practice, and outcomes. Dr. Davenport collaborates with practitioners and stakeholders to translate research into practical reforms that enhance fairness, accountability, and effectiveness. Through her scholarship and instruction, she aims to advance criminal justice policies and practices that support equitable outcomes and societal well-being.

Dr. Joshua Ruffin

Dr. Joshua Ruffin earned his Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Old Dominion University and currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice at Towson University.
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His research integrates diverse perspectives to illuminate often-overlooked aspects of policing, corrections, and community responses to crime and justice. Dr. Ruffin maintains active research partnerships with justice organizations and community groups, including regional practitioner associations, reentry programs, barbershops, and local police departments. His scholarship appears in leading journals such as Criminal Law Bulletin, Journal of Correctional Health Care, Policing and Society, Policing: An International Journal of Policy and Practice, Journal of Urban Affairs, and Journal of Criminal Justice Education, among others.