Jennifer Sterling

Jennifer Sterling is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Arlington, where she has been teaching since August 2018. She also serves as the Crime Victim Services Coordinator at the UTA Police Department and is a Managing Partner at Books and Sterling, LLC, providing clinical supervision and training. Her professional work bridges social work, law enforcement, and victim advocacy.

• Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Arlington (2018–Present)
• Crime Victim Services Coordinator, UTA Police Department (2018–Present)
• Managing Partner, Books and Sterling, LLC (2019–Present)
• Adjunct TCOLE Instructor, North Central Texas Council on Governments Regional Police Academy (2020–Present)

Education:

• MSSW in Social Work, Abilene Christian University, 2014
• BSSW in Social Work, Abilene Christian University, 2012

Jennifer Sterling's research and professional interests center on victim services, forensic social work, clinical practice, and threat assessment. She is certified in Forensic Social Work and graduated from the Advanced Threat Assessment Academy by Gavin de Becker & Associates. Her work emphasizes trauma-informed care, campus safety, and interdisciplinary collaboration between mental health and law enforcement.

Her grant-funded projects reflect a strong focus on institutional support for crime victims in higher education settings. These initiatives demonstrate a consistent commitment to improving victim services on college campuses through state and federal funding.

Scientific Awards:

• Distinguished Service Award, The Director of Police and The University of Texas System (March 25, 2025)
• Non-Sworn Supervisor of the Year, UTA Police Department (June 11, 2021)
• Outstanding Campus Non-Sworn Employee, Texas Association of College and University Police Administration (January 1, 2021)
• Leadership in Victim Services - Small Agency, International Association of Chiefs of Police (October 2020)

Jennifer Sterling has secured multiple grants as Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-PI, focusing on the College Crime Victim Services Unit and campus initiatives, funded by the Criminal Justice Division (CJD) and the Texas Office of the Governor. She mentors students through advanced field instruction in social work but has no listed advisees in the provided text. Her teaching includes courses such as Selected Topics in Social Welfare, Advanced Field Practice, and Human Behavior.

She is actively involved in professional service, serving on the Planning and Coordinating Committee for Law Enforcement Victim Assistance, as a Board Member and Region C Coordinator for the Texas Victim Services Association, and as a former branch chair for the National Association of Social Workers.