
About
Dr. Sheila Foley is a Professor in the Psychology and Justice and Legal Studies departments and a member of the Honors Program faculty. Appointed to full professor in 2023 after beginning as an adjunct professor in 2002, she leverages 22 years of state government experience in social change initiatives and police training. She currently provides emergency dispatcher training for the State 911 Department.
Her educational background includes:
- Master's degree from Westfield State University
- PhD in Business Administration with Criminal Justice specialization from Northcentral University
Dr. Foley's interdisciplinary research spans Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Sociology, emphasizing critical analysis of youth challenges and social systems. Her teaching integrates experiential learning with real-world policy development, particularly in emergency response frameworks.
Her professional recognition includes:
- Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Honor Society for Women Educators
- Golden Key International Honour Society
- National Criminal Justice Honor Society
She maintains active affiliations with the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, American Psychological Association, and Western Mass Chiefs of Police Association, applying her expertise to community safety initiatives while mentoring through the Honors Program.




