Melissa Duscha

Melissa Duscha

Class of 2016

Education:

MBA, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Schidler College of Business & Administration /Japan-America Institute of Management Science (JAIMS) Japan/Asia Focus, 2005

Research Interest:

Melissa’s research interest focuses on the privatization of government services in general, and more specifically on the issue of private prisons and various types of contracting in state corrections services.

Ph.D. Expected:

Fall 2014

Current Research:

Melissa’s current projects include a network analysis of contracting services in corrections agencies across states, a recidivism comparison of private and public prisons in Arizona, and a prison environment comparison of private and public prisons across states. Dissertation Title: TBD Teaching Interests:

  • Public Policy Process
  • Research Methods
  • Issues in Privatization
  • Criminal Justice Policy
  • Criminological Theory

Accomplishments:

  • UNC Charlotte Graduate School Tuition Award, 2010, 2011, 2012
  • UNC Charlotte Teaching Program for Doctoral Students Summer Fellowship, $4,500, 2012
  • University of Hawaii Business Plan Competition semi-finalist, 2005
  • University of Hawaii Kauffman Entrepreneurial Internship Program Scholarship, $1,000, 2005
  • University of Hawaii College of Business/ Japan-America Institute of Management Science JET Alumni Scholarship, $10,000, 2004-2005

Recent Publications:

  • “Comparing the Effects of Punitive versus Rehabilitative Measures on Prison Environment in Public and Private Prisons.” Paper to be presented at the Southeastern Conference of Public Administration October, 2012.
  • “Contracting in State and Local Governments,” Report for In the Public Interest and the Partnership for Working Families, May, 2012 (with Dr. Suzanne Leland).
  • “Women Participation on Boards and Commissions in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.” Charlotte Women’s Summit
  • In progress: Social Network Analysis of the Corrections Industry in Louisiana, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Connecticut.” (with Dr. Suzanne Leland).

Conferences Attended:

  • Poster Presentation: Urban Affairs Association Conference 2012
  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Women’s Advisory Board Annual Report 2011: Section Author
  • Women’s Summit Conference 2011: Women Wages and Work: Women on Board Panelist, April 13, 2012
  • North Carolina Center for Women in Public Service Women on Board Workshop: Panelist: Women’s Participation on Local Boards and Commissions in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, December, 2011, 2012.

Biographical Information: Melissa’s primary research agenda focuses on privatization through government contracting. She is especially interested in the issue of prison privatization in the United States. Her secondary research agenda concerns public policy and the status of women. Upon graduation, Melissa intends to pursue a career in public policy research and instruction.

VITA

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