Meet AIAFS' Staff

Janina Cich, MA

Janina Cich, MA, is the Chief Operating Officer of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS) and a nationally recognized expert in criminal justice, forensic behavioral health, and trauma-informed resilience. A retired Minnesota peace officer with over 20 years of law enforcement and academic experience, she is recognized as Professor Emeritus and serves as Global Program Chair of Criminal Justice at Concordia University, St. Paul, where, over her tenure, she designed the criminal justice curriculum and co-developed graduate programs in Forensic Behavioral Health and Trauma, Resilience & Self-Care Strategies. Additionally, Janina serves as an instructor at Minnesota Technical College Law Enforcement Skills programs, where she educates newly commissioned peace officers on Minnesota statutes, the U.S. Constitution, criminal and traffic law, crime scene investigation, ethics, mental health, de-escalation, crisis response, leadership, and scenario-based learning.
Janina's advanced degrees and specialized certifications allow her to bring cutting-edge neuroscience findings into law enforcement and criminal justice education. A frequent author, editor, and lecturer, she has published extensively in professional outlets on criminal justice, forensic mental health, leadership, and resilience. She is co-editor of Forensic Scholars Today, editor of the Forensic Mental Health Insider, and Editing Manager of Nutritional Neurocriminology Today, and is a sought-after presenter on crisis intervention, de-escalation, peer-to-peer support, and professional self-care. Through AIAFS, she leads evidence-based training initiatives that bridge research, education, and community impact, training thousands of peace officers, educators, and mental health professionals nationwide. She also contributes her expertise through service on numerous nonprofit and professional boards. Her work continues to inspire and prepare the next generation of trauma-informed leaders in justice and mental health professions.