People

Faculty

Faculty

This section is a portal for faculty information.

  • Michele Muni
  • Michele Muni
  • Lecturer
  • Office: Lucy Stone Hall, Room A347
  • Campus: Livingston Campus
  • Faculty Office Hours:

    By Appointment Only

 

Dr. Michele Muni is a native of New Jersey and an avid New York sports fan. She earned her B.S. at The College of New Jersey and M.A. and Ph.D. from Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice. She has spent a good part of her career studying how and why law enforcement agencies change their policies and practices. During the early part of her career, while at Rutgers, she worked for the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission’s Office of Parole and Transitional Services.

Since graduating Dr. Muni has served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Richard Stockton University, an Assistant Professor at Holy Family University, and has taught courses at both Rutgers University and The College of New Jersey. Currently, she is a Research Scientist for the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

Dr. Muni’s research is focused on drug addicted offenders, prisoner reentry, and the process of changing law enforcement strategies and tactics. Her “for fun” academic activities include studying problem oriented policing, terrorism and homeland security.

  • Philip Nettl
  • Philip Nettl
  • Lecturer
  • Office: Lucy Stone Hall, Room A347
  • Campus: Livingston Campus
  • Faculty Office Hours:

    F 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Philip Nettl, Esq. is a practicing attorney in New Brunswick, with the law firm of Benedict and Altman. His practice focuses exclusively on Criminal Defense. He is a two-time graduate of Rutgers, having received his Bachelor’s Degree from Rutgers University, and his law degree from Rutgers Law School-Camden. He joined Benedict and Altman directly from law school in 2004, and has built up his experience in criminal cases ever since. Nettl’s first trial experience came in a capital murder trial, the last capital prosecution in Middlesex County. Since then, he has conducted numerous jury trials in both state and federal courts. His most publicized trial experience came while representing Dharun Ravi, the former Rutgers student accused of invading his roommate's privacy. In addition to representing clients at the trial level, Nettl also has an accomplished appellate practice, as he coordinates most of the appeals handled by the firm.

Nettl is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey, the Middlesex County Bar Association, and the New Brunswick Bar Association. He is also licensed to practice in Pennsylvania. He was recently appointed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey to the District VIII Ethics Committee, a volunteer organization of lawyers that investigates complaints of attorney misconduct in Middlesex County region. In 2010 and 2012, Nettl was named in New Jersey Super Lawyers magazine as a "Rising Star" in the field of Criminal Defense. In addition to teaching at Rutgers, he has been a guest lecturer at Brookdale Community College, and he lectures at Continuing Legal Education seminars for fellow attorneys.

  • Sean O'Connor
  • Sean O'Connor
  • Lecturer
  • Office: Lucy Stone Hall, Room A347
  • Campus: Livingston Campus
  • Faculty Office Hours:

    M 7:00pm - 7:30pm

    W 7:00pm - 7:30pm

Sean O’Connor earned his doctorate in educational leadership, management, and policy from Seton Hall University. He also holds an education specialist degree in educational administration as well as a master’s degree in human resource training and development, all from Seton Hall University. In addition to teaching at Rutgers, Dr. O’Connor also teaches graduate courses at Felician University. In addition, he has spoken at National Police Conferences on topics such as emotional intelligence, organizational culture, and organizational change.

Dr. O’Connor has been a New Jersey State Trooper for 25 years and is currently a Major assigned as the Troop “D” Commander. Dr. O’Connor is a graduate of the 276th Session of the FBI National Academy, and an active member of the FBI National Academy Associates NJ Chapter. Dr. O’Connor has also served as a member of the NJ Attorney General’s Council for Diversity and Inclusion.

Dr. O’Connor uses his police experience to facilitate a learning environment where students can engage each other in debate about various topics in the field of criminal justice. As a practitioner, he shares his experiences to help the students better understand the complex challenges associated with policing in the 21st century.

  • Matthew Sheridan
  • Matthew Sheridan
  • Lecturer
  • Office: Lucy Stone Hall, Room A347
  • Campus: Livingston Campus
  • Faculty Office Hours:

    W 2:00pm - 3:00pm & 5:40pm - 6:30pm

    Th 5:00pm - 6:00pm & 8:40pm - 9:30pm

Biography

Dr. Matthew Sheridan, former Director of Highfields, holds a doctorate from Rutgers University. He has more than 35 years of experience working with both correctional adults and juveniles, advocates for education, and especially higher education in correctional institutions and upon release. He has served as Vice President of the Board for the New Jersey Association on Corrections, is an ad hoc consultant to Volunteers of America Delaware Valley and supports and encourages the use of evidence-based practices. Sheridan aligns with Convict Criminology and is a strong proponent for correctional reform and especially support for those being released from prison. Dr. Sheridan presents frequently on topics of abuse in corrections and careers in criminal justice. He has publications with Oxford University Press, Journal of Prisons and Prisoners, The Journal of Correctional Education, New Jersey Criminal Justice Educator, Justice Policy Journal, and Contemporary Justice Review.

Publications:

 

  • Luis Soto
  • Luis Soto
  • Lecturer
  • Office: Lucy Stone Hall, Room A347
  • Campus: Livingston Campus
  • Faculty Office Hours:

    W 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Luis R. Soto earned his Ed.D. ABD and MPA from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and his A.A. in Criminal Justice from Union County College. He worked for the New Jersey Department of Corrections for 25 years and held the highest custody rank of Major at Northern State Prison located in Newark, N.J. During his tenure with the NJDOC he has held many positions including Assistant School Director of the Correctional Staff Training Academy located in Sea Girt, N.J. Furthermore, he has been a Certified Instructor with the Police Training Commission since 2001.

In addition to his course teaching with the Program in Criminal Justice, Soto has taught criminal justice courses at Essex County College as a guest lecturer for the past 5 years. His interests in the field of Corrections deals mostly in the studies of recidivism rates and re-entry programs offered to released offenders.

  1. Welch, Michael
  2. Yuzuk, Jennifer