Lee Ross

Professor

Long Island, New York

College of Community Innovation and Education
Criminal Justice PhD

Research Focus:

Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Homicide, Race, Crime and Justice

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As one of 14 siblings, interpersonal conflicts were frequent for Lee Ross PhD growing up. Having been raised in this environment, Dr. Ross wanted to understand the causes and effects of domestic violence and ways to prevent reoccurrence which led to his pursuit of a bachelor’s of Criminal Justice from Niagara University. Later, he went on to Rutgers University to earn his master’s in Criminal Justice and a Criminal Justice Administration PhD.

Academia interested Dr. Ross because, in alignment with Nelson Mandela, he regards education as “the great engine to personal development.” For him, there is no substitute for a good education. Dr. Ross says, “As the expression goes: education can never be taken away from you. This is the one truism I have discovered in life.”

As the only black research professor in his department, Dr. Ross made his way to UCF because of his wife’s desire for the weather and scenery of Florida and UCF expressed interest in bringing talented black faculty to the university. Taking pride in his profession Dr. Ross says, “The professorship remains one of the most esteemed and respected professions in the world and my family takes pride in that. Being respected and validated as a scholar and rewarded through promotion to full professor: the highest rank within our university is very rewarding.”

To students, Dr. Ross advises them to develop a network of mentors to help navigate unforeseen circumstances. “Establish relationships with staff and faculty who are genuinely interested in your personal growth and professional development. And at all costs, try to avoid toxic individuals, regardless of their race, gender, shape or form,” he says.

Dr. Ross’ many accomplishments throughout his career include authoring Domestic Violence and Criminal Justice (2019). He is editor of Continuing the War Against Domestic Violence (2014). He has worked as a consultant in expert witness testimony for domestic violence cases and has been a technical peer reviewer for the National Institute of Justice, The United States Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Highlights:

• Author of "Domestic Violence and Criminal Justice" (2019)
• Editor of "Continuing the War Against Domestic Violence" (2014)
• Technical peer reviewer for the National Institute of Justice, The United States Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

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