Dawna Komorosky, Ph.D. Faculty Profile

Dr. Dawna Komorosky came to CSUEB in 2004 from Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts. She received her Ph.D. in criminology in 2003 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she earned the Graduate Deans Award for Sponsored Programs.

Dr. Komorosky's main teaching and research interests focus on the link between animal cruelty and other types of crime, corrections, and juvenile justice. She is committed to educating the community about the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty, the impact of children witnessing animal cruelty in the home, animal assisted programs in the criminal justice system, and the ways in which animals are used for entertainment purposes, and wildlife crimes that support illicit trade. Her commitment to these issues has lead to publications and presentations in these areas.

Her background includes a masters in psychology from Chapman University with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy. She has counseled and advocated for rape survivors and victims of domestic violence, including play therapy with children in domestic violence shelters. Furthermore, she has counseled clients in a dual diagnosis psychiatric hospital. Before moving on to earn her Ph.D. in criminology, Dr. Komorosky worked in the foster care system as a treatment manager for families and foster children.

Dr. Komorosky is a member of several organizations including, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, American Society of Criminology, Western Society of Criminology, and Animals & Society Institute.