Alfonso Esquer

Alfonso Esquer serves as Program Director for Criminal Justice and Assistant Professor at Point Loma Nazarene University, leveraging 20 years of federal law enforcement experience from the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Marine Corps alongside clinical mental health expertise. His career uniquely integrates practical justice system operations with therapeutic interventions for incarcerated populations.

His academic qualifications include:

• M.S.W. in Social Work from the University of Southern California
• M.A. in Criminal Justice and Security Management from Webster University
• B.A. in Psychology from Biola University

Professor Esquer's research centers on restorative justice frameworks and mental health integration within criminal justice systems, with specific focus on reentry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals and trauma-informed approaches for at-risk youth. His work emphasizes community-based solutions and therapeutic jurisprudence to reduce recidivism.

His exceptional service has been recognized through:

• Narcotics Officer of the Year award from the U.S. Department of Justice (2008 and 2011)
• Restorative Justice Practitioner Community Leader Award from the NCRC

As Program Director, he mentors students through criminal justice internships and seminar courses while operating a non-profit organization providing reentry services. His community engagement includes prison counseling at Donovan State Prison, George Bailey County Jail, and Otay Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility, supported by partnerships with The Rock Church ministry.

He leads comprehensive reentry initiatives through his non-profit organization, collaborating with detention facilities to provide post-incarceration support for underserved communities, and serves as Chaplain for Prison Ministry at The Rock Church.