Jessica Grosholz

Dr. Jessica Grosholz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminology at the University of South Florida's Sarasota-Manatee campus. She holds leadership roles as Campus Chair, Director of the Masters in Criminal Justice program, and Research Administration Faculty Fellow.

Research Interests: Dr. Grosholz specializes in prisoner reentry, recidivism, health-crime intersections, human trafficking, and qualitative field research. Her work often examines marginalized populations, including LGBTQ+ individuals, older prisoners, and Latinx communities, while addressing systemic issues in corrections and public policy.

Recent Publications (2023-2025): Her research explores diverse topics such as white supremacist music, prison reforms in Panama, health disparities among incarcerated populations, employment barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals, and gendered dynamics of strain theory. These works reflect interdisciplinary approaches bridging criminology, public health, and cultural studies.

Awards:

• USF Sarasota-Manatee Student Government Association Outstanding Professor Award (2018)
• Faculty Senate Excellence in Community Engagement Award (2018)
• University-wide Outstanding Community-Engaged Teaching Award (2020)