Michelle Encalada

Michelle Encalada is a Researcher at the Evaluation Services Center (ESC) within the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services and Information Technology (CECH) at the University of Cincinnati. Since 2024, she has led and supported research and evaluation projects focusing on mental health, education, and after-school programs. She currently co-leads the Midwest Consortium for Hazardous Waste Worker Training (MWC), which serves over 11,000 workers and residents across 9 states through 13 training centers.

Education:

• Ph.D. in International Crime and Justice, Florida International University
• M.S. in Criminology, Florida International University
• B.A. in Sociology, Florida International University

Research Interests: Encalada’s work emphasizes community-based approaches, particularly in serving children and families involved in the dependency system. She employs both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to address systemic challenges in criminal justice, social welfare, and public health. Her advocacy background in non-profit organizations further shapes her commitment to applied research that directly impacts underserved communities.

Labs/Teams: She is affiliated with the Evaluation Services Center and the Midwest Consortium for Hazardous Waste Worker Training, leveraging interdisciplinary collaboration to advance practical solutions.