Donna M. Cole, Ph.D

Biography

Donna M. Cole is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice and Interim Chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Suffolk University. Prior to joining Suffolk University, she served as a Visiting Professor of Public Policy and Law at Trinity College and as a Research Fellow at the Yale School of Public Health.

Dr. Cole is a medical sociologist whose interdisciplinary scholarship examines the intersection of public health, criminal justice, restorative justice, and health policy. Her research explores how social, economic, environmental, and policy factors influence health outcomes, with particular attention to populations disproportionately affected by health inequities and involvement in the criminal legal system. Her work spans HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases, substance use disorders, mental health, women's health, maternal health, and public health challenges affecting justice-involved populations.

Grounded in public health and restorative justice principles, Dr. Cole's scholarship examines how health and criminal justice systems can better promote community well-being, accountability, and long-term health outcomes. Her research has explored the public health consequences of mass incarceration, the relationship between drug policy and population health, and the effectiveness of evidence-based interventions, including diversion programs, harm reduction strategies, overdose prevention initiatives, and community-based treatment.

Drawing on qualitative research with African American women living with HIV/AIDS, Dr. Cole has examined how housing, healthcare access, stigma, trust in health institutions, and criminal justice involvement influence health management and treatment experiences. Her recent scholarship examines the implications of changes in reproductive health policy for women's health and advances a healing-centered framework that integrates the social determinants of health with resilience, cultural knowledge, community support, and restorative approaches to care.

Dr. Cole's work emphasizes collaboration across public health, criminal justice, healthcare, and community organizations to develop evidence-informed policies that improve health outcomes and strengthen communities. Her research contributes to ongoing discussions regarding sentencing reform, public health approaches to substance use disorders, violence prevention, and strategies for reducing recidivism through prevention, treatment, and community engagement.

As an educator, Dr. Cole views restorative justice as both a scholarly framework and an approach to teaching and learning. Her courses encourage students to think critically about complex social problems, evaluate evidence, conduct meaningful research, and develop practical solutions that improve health, strengthen communities, and inform public policy. She is committed to preparing students for leadership in criminal justice, public health, research, education, public policy, and related professions. Many of Dr. Cole's former students have pursued successful careers in law, medicine, public health, research, education, government, and nonprofit organizations. She considers mentoring students who use research, critical thinking, and public service to improve their communities to be among her most rewarding professional accomplishments.

Education

• Ph.D., Sociology/Anthropology, Northeastern University
• M.P.H., Epidemiology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• M.Ed., Educational Research, Measurement and Evaluation, Boston College
• B.A., Sociology, University of Dayton

Research Areas

• Restorative Justice
• Public Health and Criminal Justice
• Women's Health
• HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases
• Substance Use Disorders
• Harm Reduction
• Drug Policy
• Community-Engaged Research

Selected Publications

Book Chapters

Cole, D. M. (forthcoming). Beyond Pathology: A Healing-Centered Framework for Women's Health. In D. M. Thomas (Ed.), Women's Health: Readings on Social, Economic, and Political Issues (8th ed.). Kendall Hunt Publishing.

Cole, D. M. (2017). A Case Study: "If They Had a Cure, I Would Not Take It": African American Women Living with HIV/AIDS. In D. M. Thomas (Ed.), Women's Health: Readings on Social, Economic, and Political Issues

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Cole, D. M., Agudelo Acevedo, F. I., Sligh, S., Massenburg, N., Lipiner, T., & Guthrie, B. J. (2023). "My God Has Not Spoken": A Qualitative Study of HIV Management Experiences Among African American Women. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved.

Cole, D. M., Thomas, D. M., Field, K., Wool, A., Lipiner, T., Massenburg, N., & Guthrie, B. J. (2018). The 21st Century Cures Act: Implications for the Reduction of Racial Health Disparities in the U.S. Criminal Justice System: A Public Health Approach. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities.

Agudelo Acevedo, F. I., Cole, D. M., Gallant, S., & Mabee, C. (2021). Restorative Justice and the School-to-Prison Pipeline: A Conceptual Framework to Address Racial and Ethnic Disproportionality. Children & Schools.