Danette Nearing-Guibord

About

I have been the field placement coordinator for Criminology since 2007. I am a graduate of the Criminology program at Carleton and it was through my field placement that I started my career working with youth at risk. With over 25 years of experience working in the criminal justice system in positions with organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, Youth Probation, and Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre, I have developed a wide network of connections within the Ottawa community. This has assisted me in continuing to build a top-quality field placement program that has enabled students to successfully start their careers in the criminal justice field. My students are making a difference in communities across Canada and abroad. Their experiences through their field placement opportunities is why our alumni choose to give back to Carleton through providing field placement opportunities as well as speaking in the field placement seminar class.

The field placement class explores a variety of areas relating to careers in the criminal justice system. The class is engaging and I use a variety of teaching methods including current news items, videos/documentaries, relevant research, and guest speakers, all intended to generate discussion and expose students to careers in criminal justice. My experiences in the field, as well as those of guest speakers, provide students with front line accounts on fields such as policing, mental health, youth justice, corrections, crime prevention, victims of crime, and indigenous justice, to name a few. Students also have an opportunity to reflect on and share their placement experiences.

I am very much interested in ensuring the best possible experience for criminology students and I support them in every way I can to successfully gain employment in the criminology field. This includes sending them job opportunities and volunteer opportunities whenever they cross my desk. I bring a depth of energy to the classroom as I am passionate about teaching and about the field of criminology and criminal justice, as has been recognized through teaching awards at the faculty and university level. The greatest satisfaction comes from knowing that I have had an impact on students’ career choices and that I can follow their successes for years to come.

As the faculty advisor for the Carleton University Criminology & Criminal Justice Society, I have taken students on field trips to Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre; RCMP Forensic Lab; and Kingston Penitentiary. I’m proud to support this active, dedicated student body, who give freely of their time to ensure all criminology students feel supported throughout their degree and enjoy the university experience.

On a personal level, I am a proud Cape Bretoner (NewWaterford girl)! I have also played competitive soccer for over 40 years, playing in World Masters Games in Edmonton (2005) – Bronze; Italy (2013) – winning the consolation round; and New Zealand in 2017. Currently, I am a Masters sprinter with the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club.

Research Interests

• Youth Justice
• Crime Prevention
• Policing
• Disabilities and Crime
• Restorative Justice

MA Major Research Paper: “Lived Experiences of Adults with Disabilities who were Victims of Crime or Abuse”