2025 PBC Re-Entry Summit: Faculty Voices Ring Out

Deepening Understanding of Reentry and Reintegration

Co-chaired by Cassandra Atkin‑Plunk, PhD, associate professor and associate director of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (SCCJ), the biennial Palm Beach County Reentry Summit seeks to break down barriers for people who are creating a new life after incarceration. The summit fosters collaboration among practitioners, researchers, policy experts, formerly incarcerated individuals, and returning citizens championing innovative, multidisciplinary approaches to reducing recidivism and strengthening communities.

The event drew more than 400 participants from over 30 states, featuring dynamic sessions on peer mentorship, employment preparation, and trauma-informed reentry programming. Florida Atlantic was also well-represented:

• Danielle Groton, PhD, social work associate professor and Doctor of Social Work degree program coordinator, delivered a compelling talk on the intersection of homelessness and reentry
• Gabriel T Cesar, PhD, SCCJ assistant professor, and students Shania Grant and Tasianna Giordano moderated key breakout sessions, guiding dialogue on evidence-based reentry strategies
• Wendy Henshaw, PhD, associate professor of English, inspired attendees as a session speaker

Cassandra Atkin‑Plunk, PhD, co‑chairing the 2025 Palm Beach County Reentry Summit with her signature role-building enthusiasm for evidence‑based reentry reform.
Other notable attendees from Florida Atlantic included Naelys Luna, PhD, MSW, professor and founding dean of the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice (CoSWCJ); Tootie Martin, CoSWCJ director of development; Ryan Meldrum, PhD, SCCJ professor and director; Tony Andenoro, PhD, CoSWCJ director of community engagement and programming, and Brian Graves, PhD, MSW, social work assistant professor.