J. Michael Vecchio, PhD

Teaching Associate Professor

Dr. Mike Vecchio is a Teaching Associate Professor of Criminal Justice & Criminology and Associate Graduate Faculty at Loyola University Chicago. He received his PhD in Criminology & Criminal Justice from the University of Missouri-St. Louis as well as his BS and MS in Criminal Justice from Bowling Green State University. He has also completed the Ignatian Pedagogy Certificate program at Loyola University Chicago (2024). His research interests include youth violence and victimization, youth gangs, as well as the causes, consequences, and responses to victimization.

He serves on the Executive Board of the Midwestern Criminal Justice Association (MCJA) as President (2025-2026). He was also named a top Finalist for the university's St. Ignatius of Loyola Award for Excellence in Teaching (2025).

Over his academic tenure, Dr. Vecchio has previously served as a Lecturer at Loyola University Chicago (2022–2026), a Professional Lecturer at DePaul University (2021–2022), an Assistant Professor at Loyola University Chicago (2014–2021), as well as an Assistant Professor at Western Carolina University (2013–2014). He has also worked on two National Institute of Justice (US DOJ) funded youth violence studies – the National Evaluation of the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program [ICPSR link] and A Multi-method, Multi-site Study of Gang Desistance – as well as on an Office of Minority Health (US HHS) project (2017–2021).

• Google Scholar
• Research Gate

Education

2014       PhD, Criminology & Criminal Justice, University of Missouri-St. Louis

2008       M.S.C.J., Criminal Justice, Bowling Green State University

2007       B.S.C.J., Criminal Justice, Bowling Green State University

Research Interests

• Community & Social Justice
• Youth Gangs, Violence, & Victimization
• Research Evaluation & Management
• Causes, Consequences, & Responses to Victimization
• Qualitative Methods

Courses Taught

Undergraduate
CJC 101 – Criminal Justice in a Global Context
CJC 201 – Theories of Criminal Behavior
CJC 203 – Policing
CJC 302 – Juvenile Justice System
CJC 352 – Gangs
CJC 366 – Crime Prevention
CJC 371 – Victimology
Graduate
CJC 402 – Theories of Criminal Behavior

Publications/Research Listings

Carson, Dena C., and J. Michael Vecchio. 2025. Understanding gang violence: Extent, causes, consequences and solutions. In Research Handbook on Violent Crime and Society, eds. Wendy C. Regoeczi and Terance D. Miethe, Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing.

Vecchio, J. Michael, and Dena C. Carson. 2023. Understanding the role of violence and conflict across the gang tenure. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice 21(1): 27-43.

Carson, Dena C., and J. Michael Vecchio. 2015. Leaving the gang: A review and thoughts on future research. In The Handbook of Gangs, eds. Scott H. Decker and David C. Pyrooz, New York: Wiley-Blackwell.

Taylor, Terrance J., and J. Michael Vecchio. 2014. Youth Gangs: An Overview of Key Findings and Directions for the Future. In Violent Offender: Understanding and Assessment, eds. Christina A. Pietz and Curtis A. Mattson, New York: Oxford University Press.

Vecchio, J. Michael. 2013. Once bitten, thrice wise: The varying effects of victimization on routine activities and risk management. Deviant Behavior 34(3):169–190.

Recent Presentations:

Vecchio, J. Michael. Region 3 (Midwest) Mid-Year Business Meeting. Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Conference, November 2026. Philadelphia, PA.

Vecchio, J. Michael, Stemen, Don D., and Dave E. Olson. Sentencing the emerging adult: The effects of age, race, and gender on sentence outcomes in Illinois. American Society of Criminology Annual Conference, November 2018. Atlanta, GA.

Vecchio, J. Michael. The Role & Influence of Gangs in Youth Behavior & Violence. Civitas ChildLaw Center – School of Law, Loyola University Chicago, February 2018. Chicago, IL.

Vecchio, J. Michael. Stash, duck, and dash: Strategies to elude the police. American Society of Criminology Annual Conference, November 2016. New Orleans, LA.

Vecchio, J. Michael. Youth gang joining and leaving: Motivations and methods. 'Community Gang Education and Awareness, Course II', Cook County State's Attorney's Office – Community Justice Center-South Side & Chicago Police Department – 22nd District, April 2016, Chicago, IL.

Owens, Jennifer Gatewood, and J. Michael Vecchio. Is gang victimization more detrimental?: An exploration of gang violence using the NCVS. American Society of Criminology Annual Conference, November 2015. Washington, D.C.

Esbensen, Finn-Aage, Carson, Dena C., Vecchio, J. Michael, and Dana Peterson. The Desistance Study. American Society of Criminology Annual Meeting, November 2014. San Francisco, CA.