Quanda Stevenson, PhD

Program Director

• Criminal Justice
• Juvenile Justice Studies
• Cyber Criminology
• Forensics and Investigation minor
• Homeland Security Administration minor
• Forensic Psychology minor
• C.A.S.T. (Child Advocacy Studies Training) Certification

Education

• Ph.D., Interdisciplinary Studies (Criminal Justice, Education Administration, Political Science, Human Development) – University of Alabama
• M.S., Criminal Justice – University of Alabama
• B.A., Criminal Justice / B.A., Political Science – University of Alabama

Biography

Dr. Stevenson received a dual bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science; Masters degree in Criminal Justice; and an Interdisciplinary doctorate which consists of a Public Administration (law), Higher Education, Education Administration (law), Human Development/Educational Psychology, and Criminal Justice/Sociology from The University of Alabama.

Dr. Stevenson has worked in higher education for over 20 years; teaching students at The University of Alabama, Athens State University, The University of West Alabama, and Miles College.  She is currently the Program Director and Full Professor of Criminal Justice, Child Advocacy Student Training (C.A.S.T.), Forensics, Homeland Security, and Juvenile Justice concentration at Athens State University.  She has taught a wide variety of criminal justice, political science, pre-law, sociology, forensic psychology, and public administration courses.

She has received several certifications and honors for her community service, teaching, philanthropy, research, and volunteerism. During 2026 she was 1 of 4 recipients of the 2026 NOBLE (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement) Award for the State of Alabama due to her commitment to education, community service, and philanthropy. She completed a study abroad in London and Liverpool to study the history of law enforcement, investigation, cyber, and research in 2024. She also received the prestigious 2015-2016 “Teacher of the Year” faculty award for teaching excellence from Athens State University.  She also received the Athens State University’s Presidential Award for Meritorious Performance in 2015. In addition, she has served as a board member for several non-profits and presided as a committee member and organizer for state and local conferences and conventions. In 2024, she created and designed a crime lab on the campus of Athens State University; entitled CASElab (Crime Analyzation, Simulation, and Experimentation lab).  The primary purpose of this crime laboratory and training center is to employ investigative techniques utilized in the identification, collection, preservation, and analysis of physical evidence. The crime laboratory is a dedicated space for criminal justice and child advocacy students and practitioners to engage in experiential learning through role-playing scenarios and various criminal investigation and evidence collection exercises, crime scene documentation, photography, measurements, and search and seizure collection exercises. She is the Faculty Title IX representative and the Fulbright Scholar Faculty Representative at Athens State University. During 2015, she also presented at the 2015 Anti-Bullying Summit, Regional, National and International Conference held in Atlanta, GA. and hosted by Auburn University.  Her approved, peer-reviewed presentation topic was: “The Bully as a Victim”.  Moreover, she presented during the Adult and Juvenile Drug Court Training from The National Drug Court Institute.  She was selected as a member of the Northern District of Alabama Federal Anti-Bullying Campaign Task Force for the United States Attorney’s Office; US Attorney Joyce Vance’s Office.   In 2014, she was a co-presenter and researcher for presentation proposal and submission for National Art Education Association (NAEA); topic: “Truancy Intervention Program of Alabama Art Projects on Truancy”.  In 2013, she also present at the 29th National Symposium on Child Abuse on the topic of Domestic Violence and Dating Abuse among High School Students.  She also presented during the Project S.A.F.E.: Stopping Abuse in the Family Environment’s “Identifying Effective Solutions” conference.  Research topic: “Step Up and Stop the Bullying” as a Preface. 

Community Service is very important to her, so she devotes several hours to helping others in the community! She is a Women’s Economic Development Council Foundation (WEDCF) Mentor and a North Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force board member.  She is also a member of the prestigious sorority of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Incorporated. She is the founder and Executive Director of several community programs, such as, Truancy Intervention and Prevention (T.I.P.) of Alabama and Youth Education and Awareness (Y.E.A.) of Alabama, and Mentoring Youth, (M.Y). The overall objective of the program is to eliminate abuse and offer a safe, nonviolent, and conducive learning environment for all children through educational programs that address issues related to children in the community. These programs provide information and resources regarding personal and public safety, school safety, self-esteem, education, truancy, anti-bullying, health and wellness and STEaM.