Meet The Research Team
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Tia Andersen, PhD
Principal Investigator
Tia Andersen is an Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of South Carolina. She holds a Doctorate in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University. Her primary research agenda involves the interdisciplinary examination of service-learning, mentoring and other strengths-based approaches to positive youth development, delinquency prevention, and successful prisoner reentry.
Hayden Smith, PhD
Co-Principal Investigator
Hayden Smith is a Professor of Criminology & Criminal Justice at the University of South Carolina. His principal focus of study is the intersection of the criminal justice and public health systems. This includes self-injurious and suicide behaviors in incarcerated populations, the physical and mental health needs of correctional populations, best practices in reentry, jail diversion, wellbeing and safety in correctional staff, and reentry initiatives. Dr. Smith has expertise in program evaluation and policy analysis and has worked with numerous correctional and health systems. Dr. Smith’s previous publications have appeared in Justice Quarterly, Crime & Delinquency, and Criminal Justice & Behavior.
Kaitlin Kirkley
Graduate Research Assistant
Kaitlin Kirkley is a graduate student in the Criminology and Criminal Justice department at the University of South Carolina. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina where she majored in Psychology with a double major of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Kaitlin has participated in the mentoring for two semesters, Spring 2021 and Spring 2023. Her research interests include juvenile justice and youth violence.
Juleigh Bencsik
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Juleigh Bencsik is an undergraduate student in the Criminology and Criminal Justice department at the University of South Carolina. She was a part of the mentoring program in Fall 2023, then joined the team in Spring 2024. Juleigh will graduate in May of 2025 and hopes to continue working with juveniles in the justice system.