Criminal Justice Professor Receives Fulbright
December 21, 2005
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
Cindy J. Smith, associate professor in the Division of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Social Policy at the University of Baltimore and director of the graduate program in criminal justice, has received a Fulbright scholar grant for her continuing research in human trafficking. Smith, who is currently studying this debilitating activity in Turkey, was one of about 850 faculty and professionals in the United States to receive the award, which involves overseas travel and cross-cultural exchange.
In addition, Smith has been named to two prestigious boards related to her work in criminal justice. She was elected as chair of the American Society of Criminology’s Division of International of Criminology at the annual meeting in Toronto, Canada. She also was elected to the International Scientific and Professional Advisory Council to the United Nations at the council’s annual meeting and conference in Courmayeur, Italy. ISPAC is tasked with providing professional and research information to the U.N. to be used for technical assistance, training, education, research and other services provided throughout the organization.
Larry Thomas, dean of the Yale Gordon College of Liberal Arts, in which Smith’s division resides, says his faculty is delighted at her multiple successes.
“Cindy has made real progress in her field, and she is highly regarded by her peers both here and abroad,” Thomas said. “She absolutely earned this recognition, and we’re all proud of her.”
Smith’s Fulbright award allows her to study human trafficking in a cultural context. Though it is difficult to gauge the impact of this activity, U.S. State Department statistics point to more than a half-million people being moved across international borders every year in human trafficking schemes. Seventy percent are female, and 50 percent are children. The majority are forced into illicit businesses, including prostitution.
Smith earned a bachelor of science degree from Baldwin-Wallace College, master of science degrees from American University and National University and a doctorate from the University of California.
The University of Baltimore is an upper-division, graduate and professional university. UB—the state’s career-minded university—is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the School of Law, the Yale Gordon College of Liberal Arts and the Merrick School of Business.