Colby Lynne Valentine

Colby Lynne Valentine is an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminology at the University of South Florida's College of Behavioral and Community Sciences. She earned her B.A. in Sociology (2005), M.S. in Criminology (2007), and Ph.D. in Criminology (2012) from the University of Pacific, San Diego State University, and Florida State University, respectively.

• B.A.: Sociology (emphasis in Criminal Justice), University of Pacific (2005)
• M.S.: Criminology and Criminal Justice, San Diego State University (2007)
• Ph.D.: Criminology and Criminal Justice, Florida State University (2012)

Dr. Valentine specializes in correctional research, victimization, and pedagogy. Her work examines prison misconduct, solitary confinement, and jail visitation practices, while also addressing systemic issues in sex/labor trafficking, intimate partner violence, and juvenile justice. She actively explores criminology and criminal justice pedagogy, focusing on student-centered learning and experiential education.

Her recent publications analyze experiential learning's impact on social justice, the role of developmental maturity in offending patterns, and interdisciplinary approaches combining computational methods with criminology. These works reflect her commitment to advancing both academic rigor and practical applications in criminal justice education.

• Victimology Faculty Teacher of the Year (2017)
• USF Outstanding Teaching Award (2024)

Dr. Valentine has collaborated with criminal justice agencies across California and Florida, including the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office, the Florida Department of Corrections' Bureau of Grants and Development, and a multidisciplinary human trafficking task force in Suffolk County (2018 onwards). She co-founded the Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship Section at the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and served on Alpha Phi Sigma's Executive Advisory Board.