Kristina Childs Fisher

Assistant Professor, Department of Criminal Justice, College of Health and Public Affairs 2017 Women's History Month

What is your current job title and responsibilities?
Assistant Professor, Department of Criminal Justice, College of Health and Public Affairs

What is your history at UCF and before UCF?
This is my first position at UCF. I was hired in 2011.

What is your academic background?
I received by BA in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Michigan State University (MSU) in 2002. After that, I took a few years off and worked as a juvenile probation officer. Then, I earned my MA and PhD from the Department of Criminology at the University of South Florida (USF). After graduating in 2008, I spent three years as a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Psychology at the University of New Orleans.

What is your favorite UCF memory?
I don’t have just one, but I really enjoy watching my students walk across the stage at graduation.

If you could change one thing at UCF, what would it be? More parking!

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with your colleagues?
Always take time to enjoy life outside of work!

If UCF was going to name something in your honor, what would you like it to be and why?
A mentorship program that links at-risk or delinquent children with successful undergraduate students. It would be a service learning program where students would be taught valuable mentoring skills and strategies prior to working with students. The program would be a partnership between a county’s school board, juvenile justice system, and UCF.

If you could have lunch with anyone at UCF (who you do not normally eat lunch with), who would you choose and why?
Kim Gryglewicz (Social Work) and Jennifer Peck (Criminal Justice). I work very closely with both of these women but our conversations are always centered on our work. I would love to be able to put work aside for a few hours and enjoy some good food and non-work related conversation with two of my favorite colleagues.

Who at UCF would you like to thank for your success?
My colleagues in the Department of Criminal Justice.

Name and describe a teacher or researcher from your past who truly inspired you and why.
I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with three great mentors – Drs. Paul Frick (Louisiana State University), Christopher Sullivan (University of Cincinnati), and Richard Dembo (University of South Florida). All three of these men are great scholars who have taught me so much about what it means to do research that is rigorous, applied, and impactful.

What undergraduate or graduate class/program/experience inspired you the most and why?
While at MSU, I participated in the Adolescent Diversion Program which was a diversion program that paired students with first-time, nonviolent offenders. I mentored a 10-year old boy who was growing up in a terrible situation. He was young, smart, and energetic. It was my first experience working in the juvenile justice system. I learned so much from this experience.

What is your favorite restaurant or food?
Habaneros in Oviedo or Juan’s Flying Burrito in New Orleans

What is your favorite movie, book or music?
My favorite movies are Beaches and Pretty Woman. I love all kinds of music, but New Orleans brass bands are definitely my favorite.

What is your favorite vacation destination?
New Orleans, LA

Contact Us

Linda Walters, Director of the UCF Center for Success of Women Faculty
Linda.Walters@ucf.edu

Phone: 407-823-1113

Mailing Address
Center for Success of Women Faculty
University of Central Florida
P.O. Box 160955
Orlando, FL 32816-0955

Physical Address
4365 Andromeda Loop N
Millican Hall, Suite 351
Orlando, FL 32816-1997

Internal Mail (UCF)
Center for Success of Women Faculty
MH 351
32816-0065