As the spring semester comes to an end, associate professor Michele Bratina of the criminal justice department prepares to say goodbye to her family at Shippensburg University.
Bratina plans to attend a conference in Rhode Island this June as the vice president for the Association of Criminal Justice Sciences. She will then be leaving SU to teach at West Chester University in the fall. In August, Bratina will be giving her publisher the manuscript for a book she has been working on about mental health in the criminal justice system.
Throughout her time at SU, Bratina became the adviser for the Pi chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma honor society, and a member of the steering committee for the disabilities studies minor.
Bratina also created the Mental Health Collaborative — a project that unites SU faculty, students and community members and practitioners to raise awareness about behavioral and mental health. The goal of the collaborative is to conduct research and professional development activities, and to provide resources for those suffering with mental health issues. She recently helped the program secure a $4,000 endowment, which will be used to further raise awareness and continue research.
Bratina was originally drawn to SU because of the family-like atmosphere it provided. She has developed connections between other faculty members and her students.
“They have become a family to me. They made me feel special and I will miss that,” Bratina said.
Bratina began teaching at SU in 2013. Prior to SU, she was the program director of the criminal justice department at Keiser University in West Palm Beach, Florida. Before teaching, Bratina worked as the forensic and children’s mental health coordinator for the Department of Children and Families in Florida.
She received her bachelor’s degree in behavioral science from Pennsylvania State University and her master’s in criminal justice from the University of Arkansas. She later received her doctorate in criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
In the midst of all these accomplishments, Bratina attributes her biggest achievement to her 7-year-old daughter, Sophia, whom she describes as being a dreamer with a magical personality.
“I have a beautiful daughter, despite my shortcomings,” Bratina said.
Bratina hopes to continue her efforts in raising awareness and increasing development and research projects. She leaves a final piece of advice with students as they complete the semester and move toward their own goals.
“Live,” Bratina said. “Just live in the moment. Enjoy your lives.”
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