Hometown:
Boone, North Carolina
Undergraduate Institution and Major:
Appalachian State University, Criminal Justice and Criminology (BS)
Graduate Institution and Major:
Appalachian State University, Criminal Justice and Criminology (MS)
Research Interests:
I study leadership and management in public organizations. I examine how leaders in law enforcement organizations develop norms and culture that improve workgroup dynamics, and ultimately guide police-civilian interactions. Additionally, I study how identity and inclusion influence conflict and performance in workgroups.
Funded Appointments:
Co-Primary Investigator – Fisher Leadership Research Grant, 2018. Cultivating Procedural
Fairness within Police Organizations:
- The Importance of Ethical Leadership.
- Instructor of Record – Writing and Communications in Public Affairs
- Teaching Assistant – Public Affairs Decision Making, Managing HR in Public Organizations, Public Management, Master’s Capstone: Research Paper, Public Affairs Program Evaluation
Conference Presentations:
How Inclusive Leadership Shapes the Connection between Group Conflict and Group Citizenship Behavior: Evidence from Law Enforcement Workgroups: Public Management Research Conference (2019)
Cultivating Procedural Fairness within Police Organizations:
The Importance of Ethical Leadership: Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Meeting (2019)
Social Identity and Prosecutorial Discretion:
An Empirical Assessment with Individual Level Administrative Data: Public Management Research Conference (June 2017)
Representative Bureaucracy and Prosecutorial Discretion:
Midwest Public Affairs Conference (June 2016).
Student Drinking: Misperceptions and Risk of Victimization:
Poster presentation at the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) Annual Meeting (March 2015).
Challenging and Improving Situations for the Low-Wage Worker:
Through the Lens of Social Justice: North Carolina Criminal Justice Association (NCCJA) (February 2014)
Selected Publications:
Baker, W. M., Holcomb, J. E., & Baker, D. B. (2017). An Assessment of the Relative Importance of Criminal Justice Learning Objectives. Journal of Criminal Justice Education, 28(1), 129-148.
Professional Service Activities:
- Glenn College Colloquium Series Director (2018-2019)
- President (2017 – 2018), Glenn College Doctoral Student Organization
- Treasurer (2016 – 2017), Glenn College Colloquium Series
- Doctoral Student Representative (2015 - 2017), Glenn College Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Honors & Awards:
- Academy of Management Conference, Public and Nonprofit Division: Best Reviewer Award (2018)
- Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, John Glenn College of Public Affairs, The Ohio State University. (Spring 2017)
- Participant, Teaching Assistant Discussion Circle, UCAT, The Ohio State University. (Spring 2016)
- Recipient of Richter Moore Fellowship Stipend, Appalachian State University. (Spring 2015)
- James B. Merritt Student Excellence Award for Contributions to the Profession of Criminal Justice in North Carolina. Awarded by North Carolina Criminal Justice Association (NCCJA). (Spring 2014)
Reviewer:
Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory
International Public Management Journal
Relevant Professional Experience:
May 2016 – August 2016
Temporary Research Position; Union County, Ohio – Officer of the Commissioner
January 2012 – May 2012
North Carolina Department of Public Safety: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Probation Office Criminal Justice Internship
Research Advisors:
Russell Hassan
