Go to Application

CELEBRATING 23 YEARS!


ACADEMY FACULTY & STAFF

Dr. Debra L. Stanley
Executive Director

dstanley@ubalt.edu


Anne Marie Milun

Program Manager
​alitecky@ubalt.edu

​

Cherie Peay

Program Coordinator

cpeay@ubalt.edu


Nicole Feldhaus
Technician
nfeldhauslitecky@ubalt.edu


Linda Dionne

Program Coordinator 

ldionne@ubalt.edu  


 Debbie Bradley
Certification Coordinator
dbradley@ubalt.edu


Faculty:


David R. Thomas

law.thomas.dog@gmail.com


Dr. Gabriela Wasileski

gwasileski@ubalt.edu


Dr. Melvin de la Cruz

mdelacruz@ubalt.edu

​

Contact Us

410.837.5055


                                                                 

                                            

                                                      2026 Roper Victim Assistance Academy                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Summer Session Virtual  (June 1 - 5)         

                                                                                                                                                                                                     Applications Due May 4!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

​ Questions:   contact Anne Milun at alitecky@ubalt.edu or  410.837.5055   

        

The Academy

Dr. Debra Stanley is presented with the 2025 Roberta Roper Lifetime Achievement Award by Roberta Roper at the Roper Graduation Ceremony

on February 27, 2026
Photo, left to right: Roberta Roper, Dr. Debra Stanley, and David Thomas

Traditionally, the RVAAM offers a rare opportunity to live, work, study and interact with victim service providers from all areas of advocacy. The Academy currently offers two trainings each year, one in-person (winter) and one online (summer). While it is assumed that students have had previous training in their area of specialization, the Academy provides a fundamental overview of the entire field of advocacy including victimology, victim rights, and victim assistance for residents in Maryland.  Sessions are led by recognized leaders and practitioners in the field of victimology, criminal justice, and victim rights, and focus on skill-building and best practices. Throughout the week, participants are provided with a variety of resource material they can take back to their agency, including a comprehensive RVAAM curriculum text that covers more than thirty subject areas. The Academy’s curriculum has been approved for selected professions, thus participants may earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Additionally, undergraduate and graduate level academic credits in criminal justice are available through the School of Criminal Justice, University of Baltimore for an additional fee.

While the information garnered in the classroom during the Academy provides valuable knowledge for participants to draw upon when they leave, an even greater resource they take with them are the professional networks they build while attending the Academy. By having participants remain on-site for the entire week, they are afforded an opportunity to network with their fellow colleagues and to lay the foundation for collaborative relationships.