Howard Payne University’s Department of Criminal Justice recently hosted “Voices from the Field,” a seminar event for HPU students on the topic of restorative justice. The event was open to all HPU students, but focused on students majoring in social service fields, including criminal justice, social work, psychology, Christian studies and nursing.

Four guest speakers presented on topics related to their respective fields, followed by a question-and-answer session. The event, held in April, was sponsored by the Christian Life Commission as part of a larger restorative justice grant awarded to the HPU Department of Criminal Justice.

Dr. Gina N. Gibbs, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and assistant professor of criminal justice, coordinated the event and was thrilled for students to hear from experienced professionals.

“For nearly 20 years, the HPU Department of Criminal Justice has offered an emphasis in restorative justice,” said Dr. Gibbs. “Restorative justice is an approach that embraces the core values of forgiveness and accountability found in Christianity and influences several career paths. It is vital that students going into ‘people helping’ fields hear directly from practitioners and how what is taught in the classroom may be used in future careers. The Department of Criminal Justice is incredibly grateful for the expertise and support of the guest speakers and the Christian Life Commission.”

The guest speakers were Dr. Tomi Grover, presenting “Restorative Justice: Healing Community, and Accountability”; Scott McIntosh, presenting “The Victim’s Side of Restorative Justice”; Lisa Medlin, presenting “Restorative Justice in Action: Being Trauma Informed in Fostering and Adoption”; and Michelle Salzman, presenting “Handle With Care: Trauma and the Crime Victim.” Dr. Gibbs provided a welcome and facilitated, and Lynn Humeniuk, assistant professor emeritus of sociology, and adjunct faculty in criminal justice and sociology, spoke on the history of the restorative justice emphasis offered at HPU.

Students involved in the program included the following criminal justice majors: Madison Boggs of Brownwood; Payton Chumbley of Cleburne; Madison Clayton of Terrell; Kayla Green of Houston; Steven Trevino of Houston; and Madison Tuck of Edgewood, New Mexico.

“I had never been exposed to the concept of restorative justice before attending Howard Payne University,” said Boggs. “Thanks to the leadership and expansion of our program, I have been able to learn about the impact that restoration and healing can have on communities impacted by the corrections system. Bringing ‘Voices from the Field’ to our campus not only opened my eyes to various avenues within the restorative justice approach, but it encouraged me to continue fighting for justice as I pursue a career in the field.”

Dr. Tomi Grover is an educator and subject matter expert on human trafficking and restorative justice. She has provided education, advocacy and engagement through a variety of community and governmental assignments including the Office of the Texas Governor’s Child Sex Trafficking Team. Dr. Grover wrote “Compelled” to educate the Christian church about why and how they can respond to human trafficking. Dr. Grover holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in social work and ministry-based evangelism.

Chaplain Scott McIntosh began the chaplaincy program for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in June 2016. He is trained in critical incident and stress management for his work with law enforcement officers as well as victims in the field after a crisis. Prior to his current chaplaincy work, McIntosh’s family served as missionaries in Michigan, Tunisia, North Africa and Scotland. He graduated from HPU with a degree in biblical languages and graduated from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree in missions. Scott also served with the Texas State Guard and Texas Army National Guard as a chaplain. He is one of 10 HPU alumni in his family.

Lisa Medlin has specialized experience in community and college education, community activism and community resources. She has been an adjunct professor with HPU since 2020, teaching the courses Human Trafficking, Principles of Restorative Justice, and Restorative Justice in Child Protective Services and Juvenile Justice. Medlin co-founded Embrace Ministry, which promotes awareness, support, and care for foster and adoptive parents, including relatives who are raising grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc. She has taught about recognizing and healing the adverse effects of trauma in children. She holds a Juris Doctor degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law and an undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University.

Michelle Salzman has been a licensed mental health therapist and LPC supervisor in Texas for more than 30 years. She is in the prospectus stage of her Ph.D. education at B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary. She has taught counseling and psychology courses for Tarrant County College, Dallas Baptist University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, LeTourneau University, and B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary. Salzman is currently in private practice with Hope Connects Counseling Center in Irving. She practices online and works primarily with trauma victims, chronic health and pain conditions and mood disorders. She has worked with victims of rape through her practice and utilizes treatments such as EMDR and various trauma models to bring about healing in her clients.

For more information about HPU, please visit www.hputx.edu.