Nancy Blank

Dr. Nancy Blank’s formal training is in the field of criminal justice. She has been teaching since 2002. Dr. Blank’s current research interests focus on the impact of different teaching pedagogies on undergraduate student outcomes such as critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership skills and civic engagement. Her research focuses on urban violence, and program development and assessment for justice-involved youth. She has published or co-published over 20 peer-reviewed articles.

Education

PhD, Rutgers University

MA, Teachers College, Columbia University

BA, University of Pennsylvania

Public Service

Manuscript Reviewer for Journal of Criminal Justice Education, Participant -

Developed literacy program for justice-involved youth, Organizer -

Awards / Honors

University Faculty Award for Civic Engagement , Widener University, 2017

Arts & Sciences Faculty Award Excellence in Research, Widener University, 2017

Publications

Simons, L., Fehr, L., Blank, N. B., Connell, H., DeSimone, R., Georganas, D., Manapuram, G., Thomas, D. (2010). A Comparative Analysis of Academic-Based Service-Learning Programs: Students' and Recipients' Teachers' Perspectives.. Metropolitan Universities

Simons, L., Fehr, L., Blank, N. B., Fernandez, D., Georganas, D., Padro, J., Peterson, V. (2013). A Comparative Analysis of Experiential Education and Student Development: Does the Type of Service Matter?.. World Journal of Education

Bonk, R. J., Simons, L. N., Scepansky, T. M., Blank, N. B., Berman, E. B. (2009). A multidisciplinary assessment of chesteropoly as an academic-service experience. Journal of Experiential Education

Hirschinger-Blank, N., Simons, L., Volz, G. L., Thompson, R., Finely, L., Cleary, J. (2009). A pilot assessment of a school-based youth court in a resource-poor African-American urban school district: Lessons learned from youth court volunteers. Juvenile and Family Court Journal

Hirschinger-Blank, N., Simons, L., Finley, L., Clearly, J., Thoerig, M. (2013). A Pilot Study of a Criminal Justice Service-Learning Course: The Value of a Multicultural Approach.. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Simons, L., Hirshinger-Blank, N., Williams, E., Willis, K., Camiollo, L., Dry, C., Floyd, C., Russell, B. (2011). A Pilot Study of Cultural-Based Service-Learning: What Did Undergraduate Students Learn from Elementary School Teachers in an Urban Public School District?. Kentucky Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning

Simons, L., Fehr, L., Hirshinger-Blank, N., Williams, E., Dry, C., Carlin, C., Curran, L. M., Gensler, J., Rowe, S., Wright, L. (2011). A preliminary evaluation of cultural-based service-learning: Characteristics of cultural-and academic-based service-learners..

Hirschinger-Blank, N., Staulters, M., Sharma, S., O’Neill Hajduk, M., Toler, R. (2019). A University-Based Literacy Service-Learning Program for Youthful Offenders on Probation: A Preliminary Study of the Program’s Development, Implementation and Feasibility. Journal of Criminal Justice Education

Hirschinger-Blank, N., Markowitz, M. W. (2006). An evaluation of a pilot service-learning course for criminal justice undergraduate students. Journal of Criminal Justice Education

Hirschinger-Blank, N. B., Simons, L., Kenyon, A. (2009). An evaluation of a service-learning model for criminal justice undergraduate students. Journal of Experiential Education

Simons, L., Russell, B., Hirschinger-Blank, N., Williams, E., Willis, K. (2009). An exploration of the value of cultural-based service-learning for student and community participants. Creating our identities in service-learning and community engagement

Hirschinger-Blank, N., Forke, C. M., Kenyon, A., Myers, R. K., Zhang, X., Schwarz, D. F. (2014). Feasibility of conducting child abuse research with girls in juvenile detention using Audio-Computer Assisted Self-Interview (ACASI) technology. Journal of Criminal Justice Education

Wallace, D., Hirschinger-Blank, N., Grisso, J. A. (2008). Female-Female Non-Partner Assault: A Political-Economic Theory of Street Codes and Female-Gendered Culture in the Contemporary African-American Inner City. Critical Sociology

Simons, L., Fehr, L., Blank, N. B., Connell, H., Georganas, D., Fernandez, D., Peterson, V. (2012). Lessons Learned from Experiential Learning: What Do Students Learn from a Practicum/Internship?.. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Simons, L., Fehr, L., Hogerwerff, F., Blank, N. B., Georganas, D., Russell, B. (2011). The Application of Racial Identity Development in Academic-Based Service Learning.. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Hirschinger-Blank, N., Simons, L., Volz, G. L., Thompson, R., Finely, L., Cleary, J. (2009). Urban School District: Lessons Learned From Youth Court Volunteers.

Presentations

Blank, N. B., Staulters, M., O'Neill, M. (2015). Assessment of a service learning experience on university students, adjudicated youth, and justice personnel . Drexel University

Shermer, L., Blank, N. B. (2015). Does experience matter? Linking experiential learning to student learning outcomes? . American Society of Criminology

Blank, N. B., Staulters, M. (2018). The challenges of implementing and evaluating a university-based literacy service-learning experience program for youthful offenders. . Eastern Sociological Society

Blank, N. B., Staulters, M., Toler, R. (2016). The feasibility of developing and implementing a literacy program offered to youthful offenders. Eastern Sociological Society

Staulters, M., Blank, N. B., Alkins, A. (2015). The impact of a service learning experience on teacher candidates and adjudicated youth .. Council for Exceptional Children, Teacher Education Division