Nancy La Vigne

Nancy La Vigne serves as Dean and Professor at the Rutgers School of Criminal Justice. A 1996 graduate of the university’s doctoral program, she previously led the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and held key research roles at the Urban Institute and Charles Colson Task Force.

• Education: PhD in Sociology (Rutgers University-Newark), MA in Public Affairs (University of Texas at Austin), BA in Government (Smith College)

Her research focuses on data-driven criminal justice reforms, including policing strategies, correctional reentry programs, and technology applications. At NIJ, she pioneered initiatives on 911 alternatives, gender diversity in law enforcement, and correctional facility environments.

La Vigne emphasizes collaboration between researchers and practitioners to improve public safety outcomes. Her work influenced the First Step Act and centered on inclusive research methodologies incorporating stakeholder perspectives.