Open to Opportunities

Dr. Gaylene Gordon is a scholar-practitioner whose work bridges Childhood Studies, Criminal Justice, higher education, organizational development, and community engagement. Her research, teaching, leadership, and professional practice are united by a central question: How do individuals, organizations, and communities create conditions that support resilience, growth, and human flourishing?

Scholarship & Research

Dr. Gordon earned her B.A. and M.A. in Criminal Justice before completing her Ph.D. in Childhood Studies at Rutgers University–Camden. Her interdisciplinary scholarship draws from Childhood Studies, Criminology, and Sociology to examine resilience, identity development, social institutions, and the ways childhood experiences shape later outcomes.

Her research has focused particularly on the experiences of girls and women, juvenile justice involvement, and the influence of structural, interpersonal, and environmental factors on development.

Higher Education & Student Success

As an educator, Dr. Gordon has taught undergraduate and graduate courses including Intro to the Criminal Justice System, Research Methods, Violent Crime, and Youth Advocacy.

Beyond the classroom, she has supported student success through academic mentoring, graduate writing support, professional development programming, scholarly development, admissions and matriculation initiatives, and the creation of student-centered resources. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and administrators across more than thirty academic programs, she has contributed to initiatives that support students throughout the graduate student lifecycle.

Dr. Gordon is known for creating intellectually rigorous, engaging, and supportive learning environments where students are encouraged to connect theory to lived experience, engage thoughtfully with complex social issues, and develop confidence in their own intellectual abilities.

Leadership & Organizational Development

Dr. Gordon brings more than twenty-five years of leadership experience spanning workforce development, recruitment, employee relations, training, organizational development, and community engagement across corporate, nonprofit, and educational settings.

Her professional background includes leading talent development initiatives, supporting organizational effectiveness, facilitating professional learning opportunities, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders to strengthen programs, teams, and organizational outcomes.

Community Engagement & Youth Development

Dr. Gordon has worked extensively with community organizations, families, educators, and youth-serving agencies to support positive outcomes for youth and emerging adults.

Through community partnerships and collaborative programming, she has contributed to initiatives focused on resilience, identity development, self-advocacy, educational engagement, and opportunities for historically marginalized populations. Her work frequently bridges research, practice, and community-based application, helping translate scholarship into meaningful action.

Areas of Interest

Dr. Gordon's current areas of interest include childhood resilience, Black girlhood studies, educational equity, juvenile justice, student success, organizational leadership, workforce development, and the creation of environments and practices that promote positive outcomes for children, youth, families, and communities.

Guiding Philosophy

Whether conducting research, mentoring students, developing educational and professional programs, facilitating learning experiences, or collaborating with community partners, Dr. Gordon's work is guided by a commitment to transforming knowledge into meaningful action that expands opportunity, dignity, belonging, and growth.