Brandon Dulisse, Chivon H. Fitch, Nathan T. Connealy
This study explores two community–university collaborations at the University of Tampa—the Industry Advisory Board (IAB, est. 2021) and the Criminology Institute for Research and Training (CIRT, est. 2023). Grounded in translational criminology, these initiatives bridge researcher–practitioner divides through collaborative, evidence-based policy and practice. The IAB, with 25+ agencies, enhances curriculum, research, and student preparedness, while CIRT disseminates evidence-based practices via trainings, symposia, and grant-funded studies on issues like cryptocurrency fraud. Findings reveal that translational criminology thrives—defined as growth to 25+ agency partners, 20+ annual student internships/jobs, annual training and certification events, and four publications—through inclusive stakeholder engagement, clear agenda-setting, and continuous evaluation. These partnerships evolve despite challenges like agency turnover, offering a replicable model for sustainable academic–practitioner–student collaborations. Future directions include expanding to 50+ agencies and aligning curricula with practitioner needs to drive impactful reform.