Maria Stephenson, PhD, CADC-II

maria.stephenson@dcs.ga.gov

Summary

Dr. Maria Stephenson, a Scholar Practitioner, is a multifaceted leader who possesses over 18 years of criminal justice experience with a specialization in leading community supervision professionals and addressing the criminogenic needs and responsivity risk factors of individuals under community supervision. As an energetic, committed, and experienced leader, instructor, and mentor, Dr. Stephenson has positively impacted the careers of sworn law enforcement and community supervision professionals and non-sworn administrative and counseling staff. She is adept at functioning strategically, managerially, and hands-on to steer organizations through programmatic, operational, and administrative domains. She demonstrates proven management proficiency in developing evidence-based programs, fostering private/public partnerships, and excelling in advocacy and organizing efforts. Notable for meticulous attention to detail, a consistent history of motivating and unifying teams, and strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, Dr. Stephenson has implemented statewide initiatives to guide organizations’ strategic plan and mission.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): Criminal Justice, 2020. Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Master of Philosophy - MPhil: Criminal Justice, 2020. Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Master of Science (MS): Human Services, 2010. Capella University, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Bachelor of Science in Social Science (BSSS): Criminal Justice, 2007. Mercer University, Macon, Georgia

Professional experience

Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS):
- Director, Research and Data Services, Atlanta, GA, Aug 2023 - Present
- Research & Development Manager, Atlanta, GA, Feb 2019 - Aug 2021
- Training & Program Manager, Forsyth, GA, Jun 2016 - Feb 2019
- Temporary Special Assignment, Atlanta, GA, Apr 2016 - Jun 2016
Columbus State University:
- Part-Time Instructor, Columbus, GA - May 2021 - Sep 2023
Georgia Department of Corrections (DOC):
- Center Administrator, Macon, GA, Oct 2012 - Jun 2016
- Probation Officer II, Macon, GA, Aug 2007 - Oct 2012
Georgia Secretary of State:
- Investigative Assistant, Macon, GA, Dec 2006 - Aug 2007
Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ):
- Program Assistant, Forsyth, GA, Dec 2005 - Dec 2006

Project experience

Portal Policy Module - Jun 2021
Probation Sentence Length - Jan 2021
Community Supervision KPI Dashboard - Nov 2020
Senate Bill 174: Georgia 3-Year Review - Jul 2020
Supervisee Pulse Survey - May 2020
Applying Procedural Justice in Community Supervision - Jan 2020
Community Supervision Annual Population Dashboard - Aug 2019
Audit Automation - May 2019
Employee Engagement Initiative - Nov 2018
Consolidate Alternatives to Incarceration - Apr 2016
Basic Counselor Training Development - Oct 2015
Georgia Day Reporting Center Recovery Day Video - Oct 2014
Georgia Day Reporting Center Processes and Procedures - Sep 2014
Georgia Day Reporting Center Offender Internet Access Initiative - Aug 2014
Alabama Day Reporting Center Training - Jun 2014
Georgia Day Reporting Center Statewide Cross-Training - Jan 2014
Gender Responsive Programs - Nov 2013
Georgia Day Reporting Center Drug Screen Fees Policy - Oct 2013
Community Service Work Policy - Oct 2013

Presentations and publications

Conference Presenter at the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) Conference, New York, New York, August 30, 2023, on Maximizing State Policy on Reducing Jail Use for Probation Violations.
Stephenson, M. L. (2020). Probation and Parole Officers' Experiences Addressing Criminogenic Needs of Adult Felony Offenders (Doctoral Dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global Database. (Order No. 27742242).
Conference Presenter at the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, January 6, 2020, on Leveraging Technology in Quality Offender Supervision.
Conference Presenter at the Institutional Corrections Research Network/National Corrections Reporting Program (ICRN/NCRP) Meeting, St. Louis, Missouri, September 19, 2019 on The Technicalities of Technical Violations.