Sandra Stone

Dr. Sandra Stone is a Professor and Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies at the University of South Florida (USF) Sarasota-Manatee campus. She previously served as Chair of the Department of Social Sciences and Regional Chancellor at USF, with prior administrative roles at Dalton State College, Southern Polytechnic State University, and the University of West Georgia. Her work spans academia, social services, and policy, focusing on family violence, juvenile justice, and human trafficking.

• Ph.D. in Sociology (Social Psychology), Emory University
• Post-doctoral Certificate in Organizational Behavior, Tulane University
• M.A. and B.A. in Psychology and Sociology, University of West Georgia

Dr. Stone’s research intersects sociology, criminology, and public policy, emphasizing family violence, juvenile delinquency, women and crime, and anti-human trafficking initiatives. She evaluates programs addressing child advocacy and reentry challenges for formerly incarcerated individuals, with over $9 million in grant funding. Her recent publications explore human trafficking, social-emotional learning in schools, and systemic barriers for marginalized populations.

Her Google Scholar contributions highlight interdisciplinary work in criminology, public health, and social policy. Key trends include victimization analysis (cyberbullying, trafficking), juvenile justice reform, and gender-specific crime patterns.

• Faculty Service Award (2021)
• Honorable Mention Publication Award (2020)
• SRQ Women in Leadership Award (2016)
• Sociologist of the Year (2008)
• Frederick Milton Thrasher Research Award (1997, 2000)

As Assistant Dean and former department chair, Dr. Stone has led academic administration, program development, and research teams. She collaborates with the USF Trafficking In Persons Research Lab and organizations like Selah Freedom, focusing on community-based solutions for trafficking survivors and reentry programs.