Maria Aguilar-Amaya

Biography
Dr. Maria Aguilar-Amaya has over 20 years of experience in the Arizona Judiciary. She currently serves as Associate Director in the Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center, Office of Evaluation and Partner Contracts. Her experience includes qualitative and quantitative research design, evaluation, survey design, population projections, and cost savings analysis. Dr. Aguilar-Amaya possesses the following certifications: Real Colors facilitator by the National Curriculum & Training Institute, Court Management Program by the National Center for State Courts and the Arizona Court Managers Program, as an advanced public speaker by Achieve Global, and as a motivational interviewing facilitator. Dr. Aguilar-Amaya possesses a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice with a minor in Communications, a Masters in Organizational Management, and a Doctorate in Management and Organizational Leadership. She served as President for the Arizona Evaluation Network, on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Courts Association, and on the Governor's Office Substance Abuse Epidemiology Work Group.
Education
- Doctorate in Management and Organizational Leadership
- University of Phoenix
- Dissertation: Probation Leaders Perspectives of Evidence-based Practices and Probation Outcomes.
- University of Phoenix
- Masters in Organizational Management
- University of Phoenix
- Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice
- Arizona State University
Research Interests
- Health Equity
- Opioids Epidemic
- Substance Abuse
- Criminal Justice
- Drug Courts
- Specialty Courts
- Probation
- Corrections
- Victims' Rights
Publications
- Aguilar-Amaya, M. (2015). Aligning leadership and management practices with EBP. Perspectives, (Spring)
- Aguilar-Amaya, M. (2013). A quantitative study of probation outcomes and leaders' perceptions of evidence-based practices. (Order No. 3570363, University of Phoenix). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, 159
- Aguilar-Amaya, M. (2004). Evidence-based practices at work: How one destitute meth addict found his way back into society. The Chronicle, XVII(1), 2-4
- Aguilar-Amaya, M. (2006). A proactive approach to community supervision: Probation or prison? The Chronicle, XVII(1), 2-3
Research Activity
Research Studies:
- Project SAFE Recidivism Study
- Low Risk Supervision Recidivism Study
- Yuma Drug Court Recidivism Study
- Probation Outcomes and Leaders’ Perceptions of Evidence Based Practices
- Arizona Probationer Recidivism Study
- Yavapai MRT Recidivism Study
- Employee Time Study
- Juvenile Transferred Offender Program Study
- The Arizona Probation Violators Study
Research Designed:
- Summative Evaluation to Explore Factors that Hinder or Facilitate SMI Probation Supervision
- Conceptual Analysis of Policy and Procedures that Guide SMI Caseloads
- Arizona Intensive Probation Supervision Case Study
- The Impact of Probation Officer Home Visits on Offender Outcomes
Courses
Spring 2022 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
SWG 619 | Practice-Oriented Research |
Fall 2021 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
PSY 330 | Statistical Methods |
Fall 2020 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
PSY 330 | Statistical Methods |
Spring 2020 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
CED 502 | Counseling data analysis |
Presentations
- American Probation and Parole Association " Speaker " 02/2016 - Public speaker at the Winter Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA; Topic presentation: The Impact of Rolling Out EBP Statewide: Ten Years in the Making of the Evolution of EBP in Arizona and Its Impact on Probation Violators.
- American Probation and Parole Association " Speaker " 08/2014 - Public speaker at the 39th Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA.; Topic presentation: Probation Outcomes and Leaders Perceptions of Evidence-based Practices.
- American Probation and Parole Association " Speaker " 08/2010 - Public speaker at the 35th Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.; Topic presentation: Aligning Management and Leadership Practices with Evidence-based Practices.
- Isaac Middle School " Tutor " 01/2008 - 04/2008 - Tutored middle school students in English and Math.
- Alfred F. Garcia Elementary School " Tutor" 09/1995 - 04/1996 - Tutored fifth grades students in English, Math, and Reading.
Honors/Awards
- Employee of the Month " Arizona Supreme Court " 2016 " Recipient of the Employee of the Month award for going above and beyond the requirements of my job duties and for volunteering and offering assistance without being asked on projects.
- You Can Do It Award " Arizona Supreme Court " 2014 " Recipient of the annual award for translating English court forms into Spanish.
- Honorary Degree " Arizona State University " 2003 " Recipient of recognition from ASUs President Crow at graduation for overcoming obstacle, managing a work/life balance, and engaging in volunteer work while attending college.
- Employee of the Month " Phoenix City Prosecutors Office " 2003 " Recipient of monthly award for providing outstanding services to victims.
- Joe Kegans Award " American Probation & Parole Association " 2001 " Recipient of the annual national award for providing outstanding services to crime victims.
Professional Associations
- AZ Substance Abuse Epidemiology Work Group " Member " 08/2016 01/2018
- AZ Courts Association " Honorary Member " 01/2018 12/2020
- AZ Courts Association " Director at Large " 09/2015 01/2018
- AZ Evaluation Network " Immediate Past President " 04/2016 04/2017
- AZ Evaluation Network " President " 04/2015 04/2016
- AZ Evaluation Network " President Elect " 05/2014 04/2015
- Arizona Supreme Court " Foster Care Review Board " 08/2014 12/2015
- AZ Evaluation Network " Vice President of Budget & Finance " 05/2011 05/2014
- Maricopa County Hispanic Network " Recording Secretary " 09/1995 03/1998
Work History
Researcher / Data Analyst
01/2007 01/2018
Arizona Supreme Court, Administrative Office of the Courts
Management Analyst
08/2004 01/2007
Superior Court of Maricopa County, Adult Probation Department
Victim Advocate
07/2002 08/2004
City of Phoenix, Prosecutors Office
Victim Services Program Coordinator
03/1998 07/2002
Superior Court of Maricopa County, Adult Probation Department
Board
Arizona Evaluation Network | Vice President of Budget and Finance 04/2018 - 03/2019 | President 04/2015 - 04/2016
Arizona Courts Association | Director at Large | 09/2015 - 01/2018
Arizona Supreme Court, Foster Care Review Board | 08/2014 - 12/2015
Maricopa County Hispanic Network | Recording Secretary | 09/1995 - 03/1998