Rate My Professor David Taylor

David Taylor is an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Niagara University, where he has been a faculty member since 1999, promoted to Associate Professor in 2006. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminology, Law and Society from the University of California, Irvine in 1999, M.A. in Criminal Justice from Indiana University Bloomington in 1992, and B.A. in Psychology from Castleton State College in 1990. Prior to joining Niagara University full-time, Taylor served as a Visiting Lecturer at California State University, Long Beach (1998-1999), and as an Instructor at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; California State University, Fullerton; and the University of California, Irvine (1997-1998). His early career also included roles as Assistant Program Manager at State Work Furlough in Garden Grove, California (1994-1998), Volunteer in Probation with the Orange County Probation Department (1994-1995), and Police Officer in Old Orchard Beach, Maine (1989-1991).

Taylor's academic interests encompass criminology, criminal justice, community engagement, homeland security, race, gender, and class in the criminal justice system, kinship care, poverty, civic engagement, violence and public policy, and asset-based community development. Notable publications include 'The impact of specific knowledge on death penalty opposition: An empirical test of the Marshall hypothesis' (Crime & Delinquency, 2021, with Harmon and Falco); 'The impact of teacher method of delivery and the Marshall hypothesis' (Journal of Criminal Justice Education, 2021, with Harmon and Falco); 'Validation of a tool to assess and track undergraduate attitudes toward those living in poverty' (Journal of Research on Social Work Practice, 2014, with Blair, Brown, and Schoepflin); 'Strengths and stressors in a population of kinship caregivers' (Families in Society, 2009, with Blair and Rivera); and encyclopedia entries on 'Complaints Against Police' (2004), George Jackson (2004), and Robert Martinson (2004). He has received major awards such as the Vincentian Mission Award (Niagara University, 2018), Champion of Change Award (Underground Railroad Heritage Commission, 2017), Hero of Hope Award (Catholic Charities, 2015), Caritas Medal (Niagara University, 2007), and Founders Award (American Red Cross, 2006). Taylor founded and directed the Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M. Institute for Civic Engagement (2011-2017), coordinated projects like ReNU Niagara and Border Community SERVICE, and secured grants including $300,000 from the John R. Oishei Foundation for Creating a Healthier Niagara Falls. He teaches courses such as Introduction to Criminal Justice, Research Methods, Homeland Security, and Violence and Public Policy, contributing significantly to community outreach and civic engagement initiatives.