TaLisa J. Carter, Ph.D., (PHD18) is an associate professor of justice, law and criminology at American University’s School of Public Affairs. A former correctional officer turned scholar, Carter focuses on the intersection of corrections, race, organizational accountability and institutional responses to employee behavior. Her research is grounded in both lived experience and rigorous mixed-methods scholarship, drawing on surveys, administrative records, interviews and ethnographic observation.

Carter is the author of Corrections at Work: A Call for Institutional Accountability (NYU Press), which introduces the Institutional Response Model of Social Control—a framework for understanding how correctional institutions reward and punish employees based on employee demographics, occupational characteristics and the perceived severity of behavior. Her work challenges dominant narratives that reduce misconduct to individual “bad actors,” emphasizing instead the role of organizational culture, structure and power.

Her scholarship has been supported by federal and foundation funding and published in leading criminology and criminal justice outlets. Carter is also an affiliate with the Urban Institute, where her work contributes to policy-relevant research on corrections, accountability and justice system reform. In addition to her research, she is deeply committed to teaching and mentorship, regularly working with undergraduate and graduate students on research, professional development and pathways into justice-related careers.

Beyond academia, Carter is the founder of Towards Just Change, a consulting practice focused on research translation, training and equity-centered organizational change for justice-involved agencies and nonprofits. She is a frequent speaker, advisor and public commentator on issues related to corrections, accountability and race.

Caroline Klinger is the communications director for Mayor John Carney in the City of Wilmington, where she leads communications strategy and public engagement for the Mayor's Office. Prior to joining the City in August 2025, she served as deputy director of communications for the Delaware State Senate Majority Caucus and previously worked in the Office of the Governor of Delaware as a digital communications manager under then-Governor Carney. In her State roles, she supported major public events, digital communications and coordinated messaging across state agencies. A 2022 graduate of the University of Delaware, Caroline holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Political Science.

Brandon Pellegrini (BA20) achieved a lifelong goal when he completed training in March 2021 to become a Delaware State Police Trooper. “Police work is all about helping and bettering the community in so many different ways,” said Pellegrini. I know it sounds like the most cliched thing I could probably ever say, but I just want to help people.”

Pellegrini graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice after completing UD’s Associate in Arts Program (AAP) in Wilmington in 2018.

He served as a cadet dispatcher and cadet supervisor with the UD Police Department. As a UD Police cadet, Pellegrini monitored security cameras, assisted with event security and acted as a safety escort for fellow members of the UD community. As a cadet supervisor, he oversaw 50 of his peers. He was also one of only six cadets who underwent a 24-week training program to become a dispatcher. In that role, he answered calls from students in distress and kept them calm while coordinating a response from sworn officers. 

Pellegrini also was a part-time park patrol officer for the Delaware Natural Resources Police, where he maintained safety procedures at White Clay Creek State Park, about four miles from campus.

​Benjamin D. Wallace (MS17) has worked in several consulting positions writing disaster response plans for Ebola, nuclear terrorism, and hurricanes. He started his career working at the state level, and has been doing consulting work for FEMA since then. His current role is rewriting FEMA Region III's hurricane response plan, after which he intends to look for work in Europe. His professional interests include climate change adaptation, emergency management technology (e.g., GIS, UAVs, social media), organizational management/leadership, and policy development.

University of Delaware alumnus Jullion Cooper (BA05) discovered his passion for law and public policy at the University of Delaware. As a freshman, “the idea of foreign service wasn’t even on my radar,” said Cooper, a native Delawarean who was the first in his family to attend college. 

In his career with the U.S. Foreign Service, Cooper supports the diplomatic initiatives of the U.S. Department of State. His career has spanned the globe with one- to two-year assignments in China, Haiti, Guatemala, and Africa. Cooper is fluent in five foreign languages (Spanish, Catalan, Chinese Mandarin, Italian and Hebrew).

A course on the philosophy of the justice system inspired Cooper to change his major from biology to criminal justice. He later spent a semester studying in Spain as part of UD’s study abroad program. Experiencing a new culture was a liberating experience that he never forgot. After graduating with a major in criminal justice and minors in philosophy and Spanish studies, he returned to Spain, where he took graduate courses and later taught English. 

A few years later, Cooper pursued a master’s degree in international relations at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He was awarded a highly competitive Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship from the U.S. State Department, which prepares exceptional young people, particularly those from underrepresented groups, for the Foreign Service.

Jennifer Griffin (PHD12), a dedicated public safety professional and educator, has made significant strides in her career since receiving a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Delaware in 2012. Serving as a Delaware State Police Trooper since 2008, Griffin's commitment to public safety and officer well-being has been evident throughout her tenure. Rising through the ranks, she achieved the position of captain in 2019, where she focused on the holistic health of her officers, emphasizing stress management, fitness, and overall wellness.

In 2022, Griffin played a pivotal role in launching the Delaware State Police Wellness App. This innovative tool provides essential mental health support and promotes officer wellness. It offers Delaware State Police Troopers and their families confidential access to counseling services, alongside valuable safety and crime prevention tips. Griffin's dedication to the well-being of her colleagues showcases her forward-thinking approach and her commitment to creating a supportive environment within the police force.

Transitioning to academia, Griffin joined Temple University in 2022 as the vice president of public safety. Her unique blend of law enforcement expertise and educational experience enriches her role, providing a comprehensive perspective on public safety management. Griffin's academic background is impressive; she earned a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Delaware, an M.S. in administration of justice from Wilmington University, and a B.A. in sociology from Millersville University.

In addition to her administrative roles, Griffin has a rich history in teaching. She served as an adjunct instructor in sociology at the University of Delaware for more than nine years, sharing her knowledge and passion for the subject with countless students. Her academic and professional journey underscores her commitment to both public service and education, making her a distinguished figure in the fields of law enforcement and academia. Griffin's career is a testament to her dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the betterment of society.

Ashley Lockwood (BA10) never had dreams of being a teacher when she graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in sociology. Today, she is the 2023 Delaware Teacher of the Year, an honor reserved for educators who have a superior ability to inspire students with a love of learning, exemplary demonstration of professional traits and a strong sense of dedication and devotion to teaching.

Lockwood graduated during a recession and struggled to find jobs in any field. She tried substitute teaching and discovered she loved being in the classroom and connecting with the kids. She went back to school to earn her master’s degree in elementary education from Wilmington University. Over the past 12 years, she has seen education through many lenses — as a substitute teacher, paraprofessional, special education teacher and now in an immersion program.

Lockwood credits her UD education and the opportunities she had on campus for helping her prepare for “great things” after graduation. 

“I had a mentor through the Center for Black Culture’s Each One Reach One mentoring program before I even started at UD and they offered programs all throughout the year that helped me feel comfortable and transition to college life,” Lockwood said. “I was also part of the gospel choir and that really created a sense of unity for me. Those experiences coupled with the sociology studies that allowed me to explore so many topics really helped set me up for success.”