Education, Expertise, and a Passion for Students

Dr. Nancy Hirschinger-Blank knows how to help students succeed.

Education

With a strong academic background, Dr. Blank is equipped to coach her students effectively, offering expert guidance in research, writing, and critical analysis across diverse fields.

Ph.D.

Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice, Newark, NJ
Awarded Excellence Fellowship by the State of New Jersey
Awarded Dissertation Fellowship by the U.S. Department of Justice
Dissertation Title: “A Study of Violent Injuries Between Women in An Urban Community: A Proposal and Test of Gendered Theory”
Dissertation Publication (2003): A case–control study of female-to-female nonintimate violence in an urban area. American Journal of Public Health, 93(7), 1098-1103.

M.A.

Social Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY

B.A.

International Relations, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Selected Works: Doctoral Mentoring Experience

Darin Toliver. “I Got a Story to Tell.” A Qualitative Study on African American Males’ Perceptions on Committing a Homicide During Adolescence, Social Work, In progress.

Asha Robertson. Understanding the Impact of Youth Court Participation on Respondents' Perceptions, Clinical Psychology (PsyD), In progress.

Jill Marie Raichel. Identifying Common Characteristics Among Female Serial Killers and the Role of Early Childhood Abuse, Criminal Justice, In Progress.

Jennifer Smith. How the Code of the Street Contributes to Incarceration Among Black Women, Criminal Justice. Completed 2025.

Jamil Morris. Parole/Probation Officers’ Perspective on Understanding Crime Among Liberian Immigrant Youths in Southwest Philadelphia, Criminal Justice. Completed 2025.

Diana Fiorilli. Juror Perceptions of Dangerousness and Predictions of Recidivism in Veteran Defendants. Clinical Psychology (PsyD). Completed 2024.

Morgan Crozer. Challenges and Successes Teachers Experience Educating Incarcerated Youth: A Mixed Methods Design. School of Education. Completed 2021.

Jennell Bowler. Risk Factors of Youth that Contribute to Teacher Directed Violence, School of Education. Completed 2018.

Mary Stratton. A Mixed Methods Survey Research Study of Novice Special Education Teachers: Investigation of Reading Preparedness, School of Education. Completed 2016.

Eleanor Kiesel. Domestic Violence and Custody/Visitation: Exploring Young Adult Women’s Perceptions of Their Childhood Experiences. Center for Social Work Education. Completed 2015.

Nathan Kessler. A Comparison of Urban versus Suburban Gangs: Identifying Correlates of Gang Presence in the Schools. Clinical Psychology (PsyD). Completed. 2015.

Wanda Thuma-McDermond. A Focused Ethnography: Nursing students' Perceptions of Cultural Competence and Social Justice. School of Nursing. Completed 2015.

Selected Publications with Student Co-Authors

Hirschinger-Blank, N., Goldberg Glen, R., Simons, L., & Scharfetter, N., Grande, D. (2023). Lessons Learned from An Undergraduate Criminal Justice Internship: The Student Experience. Journal of Qualitative Criminal Justice and Criminology.

Hirschinger-Blank, N., Staulters, M. Sharma, S., O’Neill-Hajduk, M., & Toler, R. A University-Based Literacy Service-Learning Program for Youthful Offenders on Probation: A Preliminary Study of the Program’s Development, Implementation, and Feasibility. Journal of Criminal Justice Education, 30 (3), 407-423.

Hirschinger-Blank, N., Simons, L., & Fernandez, B. An Evaluation of a Criminal Justice Diversity Course for University Students. (2018). Journal of Qualitative Criminal Justice and Criminology 6(1), 23-49.

Hirschinger-Blank, N., Forke, C.M., Kenyon, A., Myers, R.K., Zhang, X., Schwarz, D.F. (2014). Feasibility of Conducting Child Abuse Research with Girls in Juvenile Detention Using Audio-Computer Assisted Self-Interview (ACASI) Technology. Journal of Criminal Justice Education 25(2), 210-235.

Simons, L., Fehr, L., Blank, N., Fernandez, D., Georganas, D., Padro, J., & Peterson, V. (2013). A Comparative Analysis of Experiential Education and Student Development: Does the Type of Service Matter? World Journal of Education, 3(3), 63-74.

Hirschinger-Blank, N., Simons, L., Finley, L., Clearly, J., & Thoerig, M. (2013). A Pilot Study of a Criminal Justice Service-Learning Course: The Value of a Multicultural Approach. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 25(1), 14-28.

Bonk, R., Simons, L., Scepansky, T., Hirschinger-Blank, N., & Berman, E. (2009). Pedagogical assessment of Chesteropoly for academic service-learning benefits as a multidisciplinary project. Journal of Experiential Education, 32, 155-177.

Hirschinger-Blank, N., Simons, L., Volz, G., Thompson, R., Finely, L., & Cleary, J. (2009). A Pilot Assessment of a School-Based Youth Court in a Resource-Poor African American Urban School District: Lessons Learned from Youth Court Volunteers. Juvenile and Family Court Journal, 60, 31-47.

Dissertation Pathways

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