Faculty

• 
• Christopher Chukwuedo
• Teaching Instructor
• Community Engagement Coordinator
• Office: Lucy Stone Hall, A361
• Campus: Livingston Campus
• Phone: 848-445-4265
• Email: cc1523@rutgers.edu

 Christopher Chukwuedo is currently pursuing his doctoral degree in the School of Criminal Justice at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey. Prior to enrolling in the PhD program, Christopher gained valuable experience as a program coordinator at the Roy Moss emergency shelter for at-risk and abused children in San Antonio, TX. He also worked as a program coordinator for Jefferson County in Louisville, KY, where he contributed to the state of Kentucky's foster care system. In this role, Christopher collaborated closely with family court judges to ensure suitable placements for children within the foster care system.

Presently, Chukwuedo's research interests encompass Philosophical Criminology, Qualitative Research Methods, and Juvenile Justice, showcasing his dedication to addressing crucial issues in the criminal justice field. Christopher's academic journey began at the University of Texas-San Antonio, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice & Philosophy. Subsequently, he pursued a Master's degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Louisville.

Overall, Christopher Chukwuedo's background and academic pursuits demonstrate his commitment to making a positive impact in the realm of criminal justice, particularly in areas concerning juvenile justice and philosophical criminology.

• 
• Kevin Dahaghi
• Assistant Professor of Sociology
• Email: kevin.dahaghi@rutgers.edu

Kevin Dahaghi is an Affiliated Professor in Criminal Justice, as well as Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Rutgers University. His research focuses on the dynamics between social contexts and organizations in the policy process, with an emphasis on punishment and criminal legal policies. His current work examines the origins and development of policies that shape differential exposure to the criminal legal system. His work has been published in Social Problems and Stanford Law Review. He received a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin in 2021 and a B.A. in Sociology and Journalism from Rutgers University-New Brunswick in 2014. 

• 
• Mark Desire
• Assistant Teaching Professor of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science Advisor
• Areas of Specialization: Forensic Science
• Office: Lucy Stone Hall, Room A353
• Campus: Livingston Campus
• Phone: 848-445-4276
• Email: mdesire@crimjust.rutgers.edu
• Education: J.D. New York Law School, M.S. Allegheny, B.A. Rutgers University

Mark Desire is both an Instructor in the Program in Criminal Justice, and an Assistant Director with the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner. He works for the Department of Forensic Biology, New York City’s DNA crime lab. Desire has worked there for 15 years and has completed thousands of criminal and Missing Persons cases. His previous employment includes developing biological warfare detection systems for the United States Army.

Desire holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, and his Juris Doctor from New York Law School. He is a certified DNA auditor and ASCLD inspector; furthermore, he is also a board certified Molecular Specialist with the American Board of Criminalists. Desire is the Family Assistance Center manager for New York City and has been assigned to multiple mass fatalities. Additionally, Desire has taught Criminal Justice courses and Forensic Science courses at Rutgers University, Pace University, and John Jay College.

• 
• Brian M. Donnelly
• Lecturer
• Office: Lucy Stone Hall, Room A347
• Campus: Livingston Campus
• Email: bridonne@crimjust.rutgers.edu

Brian Donnelly earned his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, and his Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. He became a member of the New Jersey Bar in 1997. Donnelly has worked as a police officer for 25 years, and is currently a Captain assigned as a patrol commander for a police department in Union County. His tenure as a police officer and as a detective has included work with homicide, sex crimes, and narcotics for which he has received numerous valor awards and commendations. Donnelly also currently works with the law firm of Bramnick, Rodriquez, Mitterhoff, Grabas, and Woodruff.

In addition to his course teaching with the Program in Criminal Justice, Donnelly has taught criminal justice and business law courses at Raritan Valley Community College for 10 years. For 6 years he taught at Centenary College, and for several years he was the lead instructor for the Port Authority Police Academy in the areas of Use of Force and Constitutional Law; moreover, while teaching at the Port Authority Police Academy Donnelly wrote several policies in both areas.

Donnelly is most interested in constitutional law as it pertains to police-citizen encounters with a focus on 4th amendment arrest, search and seizure, and 5th amendment police interviews and interrogations. He enjoys blending his legal background with his police experience to give students a better understanding of criminal justice. Furthermore, Donnelly has a strong interest in the study of Police Use of Force and its various policies and case studies.