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“A ship is safe in harbor, but that is not what ships are for.”

-American Theologian William Shedd

Terri L. Sharp

Spending the majority of her life in the Kansas City, Missouri, Sharp found injustice as unacceptable at an early age.  Integration led to the bussing of minority students to her elementary school, which drove many parents and teachers to protest through overt racism. Sharp befriended minority students and encouraged students to learn from the newcomers, which set in motion a lifelong passion of learning through communication. Sharp began employment as a social worker in the turbulent inner city of Kansas City, Missouri, as a child abuse investigator with Child Protective Services. Ten years ago Sharp transferred to Probation and Parole, where she was assigned to the same violent area. Her caseload is referred to as “high profile” because her clients commit heinous crimes, which are covered by the news media.

Sharp completed a BS in Social Psychology and a MA in Communication and Leadership at Park University. Sharp is currently pursuing a doctorate in Psychology at another university, while maintaining employment as a probation and parole officer in the violent urban core of Kansas City, Missouri.

Sharp has been married for nearly 25 years and has two children and five grandchildren.

Dr. Joan E. Aitken grew up in Detroit, Michigan, but has called Kansas City her home for nearly 25 years.  Aitken received her education from Michigan State University, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. 

Today, Aitken is Professor, Park University and Professor Emerita, University of Missouri-Kansas City. During her career, Aitken obtained $3.5 million in competitive grant funding. Many of those grants were for work with individuals at risk.  Aitken has served as a teacher, case manager, compliance officer, and administrator for educational and job training programs designed to address problems associated with poverty, crime, and incarceration. Aitken has published seven books and more than 50 articles and book chapters. 

Aitken has two adult children, and she resides with her life partner of nearly 40 years.

Sharp, T. L., & Aitken, J. E. (2010). Prisoners paroled to the violent streets describe their lives to us: Understanding where social rehabilitation must begin. New York:  Mellen.

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