Linsey Belisle

Ph.D. Criminology and Criminal Justice 

Assistant Professor, Boise State University

After graduating with my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Bushnell University (formerly known as Northwest Christian University), I began my career as a mental health caseworker. In this role, I helped adults with severe mental health diagnoses live independently in the community. This experience opened my eyes to the full extent of my clients’ marginalization and stigmatization daily.

Inspired to do more, I returned to academia to pursue my Master’s in Criminal Justice. This adventure took me Midwest to the great state of North Dakota. At North Dakota State University, my work focused on evidence-based corrections, juvenile drug courts, and harm reduction practices. In 2021, I earned my Ph.D. in Criminal Justice & Criminology at one of the most diverse universities in the country, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). I was an Assistant professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Social Work at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) for two year before starting my new position at Boise State University.

To this day, I can still see how the lived reality of the clients I had the joy and opportunity to work with years ago has directly influenced my research. My research and teaching aim to improve criminal justice policies and practices by implementing equitable, humane, evidence-based treatment that is responsive to the needs of all justice-involved individuals.

When I am not working, I enjoy hiking, camping, and adventuring outside with my husband and my Adventure Pup, Dusty.