Biography
Dr. Craig Rivera joined the faculty of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice in the fall of 2002. He currently teaches or has taught Policy Research Seminar, Introduction to Criminal Justice, and Restorative Justice on the undergraduate level; he also teaches Research Methods, Introduction to Statistical Analysis, and Restorative Justice on the graduate level. Dr. Riviera’s publications appear in journals such as Social Problems, Sociology of Religion, Pastoral Psychology, and Journal of Interpersonal Violence.
Dr. Rivera serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Youth and Adolescence, and is a member of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion and the Religious Research Association. He also serves as Director of the Center for the Study and Practice of Religion at Niagara University, which engages in and promotes scholarship and creative work on all facets of religion, and facilitates opportunities for members of the University community to deepen their engagement with their faith.
Current Research
Dr. Rivera’s primary research projects include examining predictors, correlates, and the effects of personal religiousness on behaviors and attitudes; identifying predictors of probation violations and revocations and developing policy implications of these findings; and working with local criminal justice and social service agencies to evaluate ongoing programs. Dr. Rivera is also working with a colleague to examine stress experienced by police academy recruits during training.
Educational Background
- Ph.D., University at Albany
- M.A., University at Albany
- B.S., Penn State University.