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Dr. Melanie Soderstrom

  • Assistant Professor - School of Criminal Justice & Criminology
Portrait of Dr. Melanie Soderstrom

Biography and expertise

Melanie F.P. Soderstrom, Ph.D., J.D., is an Assistant Professor and Pre-Law Advisor in the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Texas State University. She joined the faculty in 2022 after earning her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida. Prior to pursuing her Ph.D., Dr. Soderstrom was an Assistant Public Defender in southeastern Virginia specializing in representing youth in the juvenile courts. Dr. Soderstrom earned her J.D. from the College of William & Mary School of Law in 2010.

Education

Special Professional Degree

JD in Law

College of William and Mary, 2010

Doctorate Degree

PhD in Criminal Justice

University of Central Florida, 2022

Master's Degree

MS in Criminal Justice

University of Central Florida, 2016

Bachelor's Degree

BA in Modern Languages

University of Central Florida, 2007

Teaching Interests

Research Interests

  • Soderstrom, Melanie Frances Palacios (Principal). Implementing YMHFA Training with Law Enforcement Officers: A Mixed Methods Study, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Private / Foundation / Corporate, $5000. (Funded: August 2021 - August 2023). Grant.
  • Gryglewicz, Kimberley (Principal), Childs, Kristina K (Co-Principal), Soderstrom, Melanie Frances Palacios (Co-Principal). Central Florida Pathways to Awareness, Support and Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Federal, $375000. (Funded: October 2018 - September 2021). Grant.
  • Childs, K. K., Peck, J. H., & Soderstrom, M. F. P. (2026). Youth Risk/Need Profiles and Initial Juvenile Court Outcomes across Arrest Location: Does Being Arrested at School Matter? Journal of Criminal Justice, 103. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2026.102614
  • Gryglewicz, K., Childs, K. K., Soderstrom, M. F. P., Elligson, R. L., & Lockwood, A. (2025). Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Outcomes Among Public Safety Professionals Serving High-Risk Youth. Children and Youth Services Review. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108546
  • Soderstrom, M. F. P. (2025). “Being a pain in the ass is not a criminal offense”: A qualitative exploration of school resource officers’ arrest behaviors. Journal of Crime & Justice. https://doi.org/10.1080/0735648X.2025.2539438
  • Soderstrom, M. F. P., & Childs, K. K. (2025). School policing and involuntary commitment examinations of students under Florida’s Baker Act. Journal of School Violence. https://doi.org/10.1080/15388220.2025.2531974
  • Soderstrom, M. F. P. (2025). A Qualitative Investigation of School Resource Officer Training Requirements in a Florida School District. Policing: An International Journal. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1108/PIJPSM-06-2024-0092
View all scholarly/creative works
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Outstanding Dissertation Award, American Society of Criminology Division of Policing. August 29, 2023
  • Award / Honor Nominee: Outstanding Dissertation Award, College of Community Innovation and Education, University of Central Florida. January 5, 2023
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Doctoral Research Support Award, College of Graduate Studies, University of Central Florida. 2020
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Community Servant Award, The College of William & Mary School of Law. 2010
  1. Other

  2. Member

    Ad Hoc Committee on Policies

  3. Member

    Curriculum Commitee

  4. Chair

    Undergraduate Steering Committee

  5. Other

    Texas Municipal Courts Education Center

  6. Chair

    Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences 2027 Annual Meeting - Police Training, Operations, and Personnel Topic

  7. View all activities