Vaughn J. Crichlow Joins 草榴社区 as Dean of School of Justice Studies
As the new dean, Crichlow will forge relationships and develop a unified vision for SJS that supports and empowers students.

BRISTOL, R.I. 鈥 Roger Williams University welcomes Vaughn J. Crichlow, Director of Research at the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP) at the University of Connecticut (UConn),鈥痑s the next dean of the School of Justice Studies (SJS).鈥疕e is set to join 草榴社区 starting on鈥疉ugust 4, 2025.
Crichlow comes to 草榴社区 with more than 20 years of experience as an educator, academic leader, and award-winning author and researcher in criminal justice. Before his time at UConn, he served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Services in the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL.
鈥淚 am thrilled to have Vaughn Crichlow join the academic leadership as the next Dean of the School of Justice Studies,鈥 said Provost Margaret Everett.鈥淗e鈥痓rings with him an exceptional record of scholarship, applied research, and academic leadership with a focus on engaged learning and career readiness. I am鈥痗onfident that鈥疍r. Crichlow has the vision and commitment that will ensure 草榴社区 continues to be a leader in the area of law and justice.鈥
Crichlow has served as IMRP Research Director in UConn鈥檚 School of Public Policy since 2023 where he has been working to develop effective partnerships locally and abroad, led projects related to enhancing community well-being, improving service delivery to vulnerable populations, and refining criminal justice policy.
鈥淭he School of Justice Studies is poised for an exciting future,鈥 said Crichlow. 鈥淗aving navigated a period of reorganization, it will be a top priority for us to develop a unifying vision and forge new relationships while supporting and empowering students. I look forward to embarking on a new adventure together.鈥
During his time as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Services at Florida Atlantic University, he played a pivotal role in community engagement efforts to establish a new college. He led initiatives to enrich student programming in areas such as advising services, career readiness, and financial literacy.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated on several grant-funded research projects, most notably Ceasefire Detroit 鈥 a focused deterrence initiative in Michigan, the Palm Beach County School and Community Violence Prevention Task Force Evaluation in Florida, and the Amend Project, a prison culture change initiative in Connecticut. His work has been published in several respected academic journals including, but not limited to, Criminal Justice and Behavior, Crime and Delinquency, and Policing and Society. He also co-authored the book Police-Community Relations in Times of Crisis: Decay and Reform in the Post-Ferguson Era, which was awarded the 2021 Outstanding Book Award by the American Society of Criminology鈥檚 Division of Policing.
Vaughn Crichlow holds a鈥疨h.D. in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University, an M.A. in Criminal Justice from Rowan University, an LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws) from the University of London, and a B.A. in English from the University of the West Indies. He is also a former high school teacher and a native of Trinidad and Tobago.