Maria Aguilar-Amaya

Maria.Amaya@asu.edu
602-496-0497

Assoc Director
University Staff
DTPHX Campus
Mailcode
5120

Research Analyst
University Staff
DTPHX Campus
Mailcode
5120

Associate Director, Office of Evaluation and Partner Contracts & Research Analyst
University Staff
DTPHX Campus
Mailcode
5120

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.
  • 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
Course NumberCourse Title
SWG 619Practice-Oriented Research
Fall 2021
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 330Statistical Methods
Fall 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
PSY 330Statistical Methods
Spring 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
CED 502Counseling 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

 

Expertise Areas