Ciara McGlynn

Introduction

I am an applied researcher focusing on criminal justice and the broader public sector. My work centers on mixed-methods research, program evaluation, and policy analysis to evaluate and improve local and state systems. Currently, I am a Senior Research Assistant at Portland State University’s Center for Public Service and am a PhD Candidate at Washington State University.

I am based in Portland, Oregon, where I live with my dog, Whiskey. Having been present for every academic milestone from my Master’s program through my PhD, it feels only right to include him here.

Education

Ph.D. in Criminal Justice and Criminology, Washington State University (Expected 2026)
Dissertation: Navigating Recovery: A National Evaluation of Phase Use in Adult Treatment Courts
M.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Portland State University (2020)
Thesis: Identifying Defendant Typologies of Failure to Appear
B.A. in Criminal Justice, Gonzaga University (2017)

Current Projects

Criminal Justice

Treatment Courts: Evaluation of phase use across adult treatment drug courts in the US
Pretrial Justice: Examining the relationship between failure to appear and monetary release in Oregon
Social Supports: Examining the effect of visitation on recidivism and misconduct for incarcerated individuals

Public Sector

Elections: Survey of local election officials and examination of public confidence in elections
Mass Care Planning: Evaluation and technical assistance for the Oregon Department of Human Services
Public Engagement: Developing strategic frameworks and engagement plans for the Oregon Department of Transportation's Transportation Safety Office

Publications & Applied Research

Journal Publications

McGlynn, C., Campbell, C. M., and Henderson, K. (2025). “Exploring Court No-Shows: Identifying Typologies of Failure to Appear.” Journal of Crime and Justice. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0735648X.2025.2581976
Hemmens, C., McGlynn, C., and Shaw, K. (2025). "Recent Legal Developments: Criminal Justice Decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court." Criminal Justice Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/07340168251313740
Hemmens, C., McGlynn, C., and McMillin, M. (2024). "Criminal Justice Decisions of the United States Supreme Court, 2022 Term." Criminal Justice Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/073401682312040
Mei, X., Kowalski, M. A., Reddy, L., McGlynn, C., Stohr, M. K., Hemmens, C., and Li, J. (2024). "The Deleterious Health Consequences of COVID in United States Prisons." American Journal of Criminal Justice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-024-09758-8

Select Applied Research

McGlynn, C. (August 2025). “A County-Level Analysis of Juvenile Justice System Involvement and School Attendance.” Prepared for the Washington State Center for Court Research, Administrative Office of the Courts.
McGlynn, C. (August 2025). “Juvenile Justice System Involvement and School Exclusionary Discipline: A County-Level Analysis.” Prepared for the Washington State Center for Court Research, Administrative Office of the Courts.
Hoard, S., Mueller, D., Franklin, T., Sanders, C., McGlynn, C., Ruiz, S., Greer, E., and Wood, A. (December 2024). “Improving Older Driver Safety: ESHB 1125 Feasibility Study.” Prepared for the Washington State Department of Licensing.
Hoard, S., Mueller, D., Franklin, T., Sanders, C., McGlynn, C., Ruiz, S., Greer, E., and Wood, A. (June 2024). “Improving Young Driver Safety (ESSB 5583) Feasibility Study.” Prepared for the Washington State Department of Licensing.
McGlynn, C. and Meize-Bowers, M. (January 2024). “Whatcom County Drug Court Program Review.” Prepared for the Whatcom County Adult Recovery Court on behalf of the Washington State Center for Court Research, Administrative Office of the Courts.

Recent Presentations

McGlynn, C. and Van Wormer, J. (2026). “Structuring for Success: Aligning Phase Advancement with Best Practices.” Workshop Session for treatment court practitioners at the annual RISE conference (All Rise), in Nashville, Tennessee. (Accepted, Forthcoming)
McGlynn, C. and Kowalski, M. (2026). “Social Support and Reentry: Analyzing the Effect of Visitation on Post-Release Success.” Paper presentation at the annual meeting of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
McGlynn, C. (2025). “Courting Change: Examining Pretrial Release and Failure to Appear in Oregon’s Justice System.” Paper presentation at the annual meeting of the Western Society of Criminology in Seattle, Washington.
McGlynn, C. (2024). “Stepping Stones to Success: A National Review of Drug Court Phase Use.” Paper presentation at the annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology in San Francisco, California.

Teaching Experience

Washington State University, Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology

CRM_J 101: Administration of Criminal Justice (2022)
CRM_J 320: Criminal Law (2023)
CRM_J 365 / SOC 367: Juvenile Justice and Corrections (2022/2023/2024)
CRM_J 380: Criminal Courts in America (2022/2024)
CRM_J 400: Special Topics, White-Collar Crime (2024)
CRM_J 450: Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice (2023)

Awards & Honors

Outstanding Ph.D. Student Instructor
Awarded by the Criminal Justice and Criminology Department faculty
Washington State University, 2023/2024/2025
Outstanding Criminal Justice Graduate Student Instructor
Awarded by the Criminal Justice and Criminology undergraduate students
Washington State University, 2024
ACJS Doctoral Summit Fellow
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, 2024
Graduate Student Summer Research Stipend
Washington State University, 2023
Herbert L. Eastlick Distinguished Graduate Recruitment Fellowship
Washington State University, 2021 through 2024
College of Urban and Public Affairs Academic Achievement Award
Portland State University, 2020