Faculty Profile profile for debs

Deborah Smith Arthur, Associate Professor, graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, CT, in 1988 with a B.A. in Religion. She earned her M.A. in Black Studies from The Ohio State University in 1990, with a focus on African American children and youth, and earned her J.D. from The University of Connecticut School of Law in 1993. Deb received the Joseph F. Noonan Award for outstanding legal scholarship with a commitment to public service from the University Of Connecticut School of Law. After law school Deb moved to Portland, where she practiced criminal defense law for ten years, specializing in representing juveniles in adult criminal court. In September 2003, Deb began teaching at Portland State University, facilitating Capstones in the areas of juvenile justice and educational equity. She has also taught Freshman Inquiry at Roosevelt High School as well as on the PSU campus, in the theme areas of Metamorphosis, and Race and Social Justice. Her service to the University Studies Program has also included coordinating Capstone faculty development. She was a member of the PSU Student Conduct Committee from 2008-2012, and was the Chair of that committee for the latter two years. She also serves on the Capstone Committee. In 2011, Deb was awarded a Civic Engagement Award for Excellence in Community-based Teaching and Learning from Portland State University, and in 2012 her Juvenile Justice Capstone course was recognized by the Multnomah County Board of County Commissioners for Outstanding Volunteer Service with the Department of Community Justice. Deb is a certified "Inside Out Prison Exchange" instructor. She has written and presented on university/corrections partnerships. Deb is also a longtime volunteer with the Oregon Youth Authority in numerous capacities and has also volunteered with the the Oregon Department of Corrections, organizing and facilitating a Running Club at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility.