Dr. Sandra Pavelka serves as founding Director of Institute of Youth and Justice Studies and Associate Professor of Public Affairs at Florida Gulf Coast University. Dr. Pavelka received her Ph.D. in Public Administration with a specialization in Justice Policy from Florida Atlantic University. Her dissertation, Practice to Policy to Management: A Restorative Justice Framework, focused on system reform and policy implementation of restorative justice nationally. She holds an MPA from Florida International University, and BA (Political Science) from the University of Florida. Dr. Pavelka has directed grants and contracts funded by the federal and state governments, local entities, and private foundations. Dr. Pavelka is founding board member of PACE Center for Girls - Lee and trustee member of PACE Center for Girls, Inc. Dr. Pavelka serves as Editor for International Journal of Restorative Justice. She is Chair of Circuit 20 Juvenile Justice Board and Co-chair of campus security committee, Southwest Florida Regional Domestic Security Task Force.