About Us

Since 1948, our department has grown in response to changes in Florida’s government, interests in criminal justice careers and academic trends. Learn about us and how our fields have evolved.

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Our History
The Sociology Program

In 1948, Florida A&M University established the Department of Sociology and began offering coursework in Sociology with some courses related to Anthropology and Social Welfare. In the 1950s, a growing academic interest in Criminology and Juvenile Delinquency became a focus in preparing students for employment. In the 1960s, when the State of Florida established the Division of Youth Services, the Department addressed the need to expand the curriculum to include core courses in Juvenile Delinquency, Corrections, and Law Enforcement. Students could also receive a minor degree in Corrections (now considered a substantive area of study). In 1972, the Department was renamed the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Human Services.


The Criminal Justice Program


Continued development in the field of Criminology ushered in programmatic changes with the broadening of course offerings in Social Welfare and Criminal Justice. The expansion of the Social Welfare program offered courses in the area of social sciences and growth in the Criminal Justice industry. The Department was reorganized to form two separate majors, Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Bachelor of Criminal Justice. In 1990, the Department of Social Work and the Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Social Welfare detached into independent programs within the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities (formerly known as the College of Arts and Sciences); henceforth creating the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice.

Welcome To The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice

  • Dr. Phyllis Welch, Department Chair
    Dr. Phyllis Welch, Department Chair


  • Dr. Phyllis Welch is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice within the College of Social Sciences, Arts, & Humanities at FAMU at Florida A&M University.

The Faculty, Coordinators, and Staff of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice enhance the learning environment at FAMU. 

Our Faculty encourages learning in many ways that encompass, but is not limited to, quality instruction, applied research, scholarly activity, and service that support the University’s mission. Faculty also create initiatives that benefit students’ academic success and preparation for the future.

Headshot of Jeremiah Bailey
Adjunct Professor

E: jeremiah.bailey@famu.edu

Headshot Photo of Kathleen Baker
Assistant Professor

E: kathleen.baker@famu.edu

Headshot of Carl L. Bennett, Jr.
Assistant Instructor

E: carl.bennett@famu.edu

Headshot of Bowen, Kristen K., M.S.
Instructor

E: kristen.bowen@famu.edu

Headshot of Helen M. Brethauer
Associate Professor (Retired)

E: helen.brethauer@famu.edu

"No Headshot Photo" Placeholder image
Assistant Professor

E: clifton.brown@famu.edu

Headshot of Lee Creighton Bushong
Associate Professor

E: lee.bushong@famu.edu

Headshot of Taylor Darks
Adjunct Professor

E: taylor1.darks@famu.edu

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Assistant Professor  

E: cynthia.davis@famu.edu

Dix-Richardson, Felecia, Ph.D. Headshot Photo
Associate Professor

E: felecia.dix@famu.edu

Hernandez Hiraldo, Samiri, Ph.D. Headshot Photo
Adjunct Professor

E: samiri.hiraldo@famu.edu

"No Headshot Photo" Placeholder image
Associate Professor

E: brenda.hughes@famu.edu

"No Headshot Photo" Placeholder image
Associate Professor  

E: nzinga.metzger@famu.edu

"No Headshot Photo" Placeholder image
Assistant Professor  

E: monekka.munroe@famu.edu

"No Headshot Photo" Placeholder image
Professor  

E: keith.parker@famu.edu

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Professor  

E: ray.robertson@famu.edu

Headshot of Annie Gainous Thompson
Assistant Professor

E: annie.thompson@famu.edu

Headshot of Dr. Katherine Tindell
Assistant Professor

E: katherine.tindell@famu.edu

"No Headshot Photo" Placeholder image
Instructor

E: roscoe.turnquest@famu.edu

Headshot of Annie Gainous Thompson
Associate Professor

E: kenya.washington@famu.edu

 

 

 

The Faculty, Coordinators, and Staff of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice enhance the learning environment at FAMU. 

 

Our Faculty encourages learning in many ways that encompass, but is not limited to, quality instruction, applied research, scholarly activity, and service that support the University’s mission. Faculty also create initiatives that benefit students’ academic success and preparation for the future.

 


Department Faculty


Bailey, Jeremiah, Ph.D.

Adjunct Professor
E: jeremiah.bailey@famu.edu

Baker, Kathleen, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
E: kristen.bowen@famu.edu

Bennett, Carl, M.A.

Assistant Instructor
416B PERRY PAIGE BUILDING    
P: (850) 599-3670 E: carl.bennett@famu.edu

Bowen, Kristen, M.S.

Instructor
414C PERRY PAIGE BUILDING    
P: (850) 561-2258 Fax: (850) 599-8541 E: kristen.bowen@famu.edu

Brethauer, Helen, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
416C PERRY PAIGE BUILDING    
P: (850) 561-2255 Fax: (850) 599-8541 E: helen.brethauer@famu.edu

Brown, Clifton, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
414A PERRY PAIGE BUILDING    
P: (850) 561-2257 Fax: (850) 599-8541 E: clifton.brown@famu.edu

Bushong, Lee C, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
412B PERRY PAIGE BUILDING    
P: (850) 561-2260 Fax: (850) 599-8541 E: lee.bushong@famu.edu

Darks, Taylor, Ph.D.

Adjunct Professor
E: taylor1.darks@famu.edu

Davis, Cynthia, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor    
E: cynthia.davis@famu.edu

Dix-Richardson, Felecia, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
303C PERRY PAIGE BUILDING    
P: (850) 599-8857 Fax: (850) 599-8541 E: felecia.dix@famu.edu

Hernandez Hiraldo, Samiri, Ph.D.

Adjunct Professor
407B PERRY PAIGE BUILDING    
P: (850) 412-5797 Fax: (850) 599-8541 E: samiri.hiraldo@famu.edu

Hughes, Brenda, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
416A PERRY PAIGE BUILDING    
P: (850) 561-2256 Fax: (850) 599-8541 E: brenda.hughes@famu.edu

Metzger, Nzinga, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
310C BL PERRY BUILDING
P: (850) 599-8856 Fax: (850) 599-8541 E: nzinga.metzger@famu.edu

Munroe, Monneka, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
E: monneka.munroe@famu.edu

Parker, Keith D., Ph.D.

Professor
414B PERRY PAIGE BUILDING
P: (850) 599-8285 Fax: (850) 599-8541 E: keith.parker@famu.edu

Robertson, Ray Von, Ph.D.

Professor
208 WALTER SMITH ARCHITECTURAL BUILDING
P: (850) 561-2224 Fax: (850) 599-8541 E: ray.robertson@famu.edu

Thompson, Annie Gainous, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
212A TUCKER HALL
P: (850) 599-8475 Fax: (850) 599-8541 E: annie.thompson@famu.edu

Turnquest, Roscoe, M.A.S.S.

Instructor
302C BL PERRY BUILDING
P: (850) 412-7568 Fax: (850) 599-8541 E: roscoe.turnquest@famu.edu

Washington-Johnson, Kenya, JD

Associate Professor
230 WALTER SMITH ARCHITECTURAL BUILDING
P: (850) 561-2225 Fax: (850) 599-8541 E: kenya.washington@famu.edu

Welch, Phyllis, Ph.D.

Chair, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice
Associate Professor
403D PERRY PAIGE BUILDING
P: (850) 599-3316 Fax: (850) 599-8541 E: phyllis.welch@famu.edu

 

 


Coordinators


 

Adams Lippett, Carla, M.A.S.S

Internship, Recruitment and Career Assistance
Coordinator, Academic Support Services
301C BL PERRY COMPLEX
P: (850) 561-2259 Fax: (850) 599-8862 E: carla.adamslippett@famu.edu


Matthews, Eugene, MAT, M.Ed.

Graduation Check & Certification, Reentry, Retention & Matriculation
Coordinator, Student Administrative 
412C PERRY PAIGE BUILDING    
P: (850) 561-2261 Fax: (850) 599-8541 E: eugene.matthews@famu.edu



Main Office Staff


 

Lauray, LaTricia 

Office Manager, CSSAH Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice
403 PERRY PAIGE BUILDING    
P: (850) 561-2252 Fax: (850) 599-8541 E:  latricia.lauray@famu.edu

Meeks, Vivian

Secretary, CSSAH Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice
403 PERRY PAIGE BUILDING    
P: (850) 599-3316 Fax: (850) 599-8541 E: vivian.meeks@famu.edu

 

Achievements

The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice is committed to excellence. This is demonstrated by faculty and students in academic and research achievements.

Faculty in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice are a talented group of professionals. The Faculty seek to distinguish themselves both within and outside the university community.  

These activities align with FAMU’s Strategic Priority 2 Goal 1: “Promote faculty excellence by recruiting, supporting and retaining a diverse faculty with a commitment to teaching, research, and community engagement consistent with a doctoral-research university.”  The following are current significant highlights:

  • Dr. Phyllis Gray-Ray, Co-Investigator and Lead Social Scientist (2016-2021). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), (Larry Robinson, PI). Cooperative Agreement awarded ($15,496,597) to create the NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (CCME).

  • Dr. Phyllis Gray-Ray: Grant Awarded ($1,500,000) to conduct a study on “The Effects of Social Capital and Cultural Models on the Retention and Degree Attainment of Women and Minority Engineering Undergraduates."

  • Dr. Mila Turner, Opinion Contributor - 8/13/2021 - article published in the popular political newsletter, The Hill. The title of the article is "Building a culture of environmental preparedness at HBCUs."

The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice is committed to ensuring programs, activities and experiences that enhance our students’ academic curriculum. Students participating in these activities demonstrate the highest level of excellence. The achievements align with FAMU’s Strategic Priority 1: Goal 3: “Increase the proportion of student completing high-impact co-curricular experiences.” The following are highlights of some of these achievements:

  • During 2019-2020, LAE and NABCJ  hosted numerous forums and symposiums focused on careers in criminal justice  enforcement.

  • Members of LAE and NABCJ served as tutors/mentors at Bond Elementary School.

  • Students published articles in Southern Sociological Society and made presentations on various issues pertaining to racial attitudes and African Americans in America.

Faculty in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice are committed to teaching, research and community engagement. Numerous faculty members have presented research at conferences and completed works for publication in books and journals pertaining to African Americans and related issues. Other members also participated in community initiatives. They participate in many activities to accomplish these achievements. The following are a few highlight topics:

  • Marijuana legalization and racial disparities
  • Drug and law enforcement laws in African American communities
  • Police use of excessive force against African Americans
  • African-American collegians view of law enforcement
  • Black male disproportionality in the criminal justice system
  • Youth and Law community initiative

The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice sponsored a brown-bag luncheon event: The Anatomy of Social Justice Challenges in Our Community, on March 30, 2022 in the Grand Ballroom. The guest speaker and facilitator was Sergeant Scherri Bryant of the Tallahassee Police Department. The event provided an opportunity for open dialogue and question/answer interaction with Sgt. Bryant and the students. Also in attendance from TPD was Captain Danielle Davis. We had over 100 attendees between students and faculty. Lunch boxes and drinks were provided by Metz Food Service. We look forward to future opportunities to interact with the awesome students of our department.

On April 22, 2022, Dr. Phyllis Welch, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice Chair, and Dr. Annie Gainous Thompson, Assistant Professor, represented Florida A&M University (FAMU) at the 2nd Annual HBCU Summit on the beautiful campus of Florida Memorial University (FMU), in Miami Gardens, Florida. The HBCU participants were FMU, FAMU, Bethune-Cookman University (BCU), and Edward Waters University (EWU).  The attached is a summary of the event.  HBCU Summit

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Contact Us

The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice
1740 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Perry Paige #403
Tallahassee, Florida 32307
P:
(850) 599-3316
F:
(850) 599-8541
E:
sociologycj@famu.edu