Ailsa Mona Burnett

Adjunct Faculty

Juvenile Justice and Delinquency

Ailsa Burnett is an Adjunct Faculty with the Department of Criminology, Law, and Society and a seasoned public service leader with more than thirty years of dedicated service. Her career reflects a steadfast commitment to strengthening systems that support youth, families, and vulnerable populations through strategic leadership, operational excellence, and compassionate engagement.

Ailsa holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration, a Master of Arts in Sociology with a concentration in Crime, Delinquency, and Corrections. She completed the Northern VA Public Service Fellows Program in 2008, earning a Master of Public Administration. Her professional journey has been deeply rooted in the juvenile justice system, where she has served in multiple leadership capacities. She previously oversaw a local court service unit's Juvenile Intake Department, guiding critical front-end decision-making processes that impact youth and families at pivotal moments. She has also served as Director of a residential treatment program for adolescent females, providing structured, trauma-informed support designed to promote rehabilitation, accountability, and long-term success.

Her leadership has been recognized with an Outstanding Performance Award, reflecting her sustained excellence, integrity, and impact in public service. In addition to her operational leadership, Ailsa has contributed to the broader juvenile justice field as a panelist at a national juvenile justice symposium and at Georgetown University’s Center for Juvenile Justice Reform, where she has shared her expertise on systems coordination and youth-centered practices. Ailsa routinely served as an instructor for a local jurisdiction's Police Academy recruits on juvenile justice transformation.

Beyond her government service, Ailsa is active in the George Mason University alumni community. She is a founding member of the George Mason University Black Alumni Chapter, helping to establish a platform that fosters representation, mentorship, and meaningful alumni engagement. She has served as Vice President of Sponsorships and Partnerships, Historian, and Director at Large with the George Mason University Alumni Association, where she strategically cultivates relationships that expand institutional support and community collaboration. In recognition of her commitment to service, she was named a recipient of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Alumni Chapter Service Award. Ailsa currently serves as an At Large Board Member for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Alumni chapter.

Ailsa enjoys traveling, reading, wine tours, and spending time with her family.

Selected Publications

Master's Thesis: An Evaluative Study of the Fairfax County Girls Probation House Program. 1996

Courses Taught

CRIM 302: Delinquency and Juvenile Justice

Education

Master of Public Administration: Northern Virginia Public Service Fellows Program. 2008

Master of Sociology: Crime, Delinquency, and Corrections 1996

Bachelor of Science: Public Administration 1993

Recent Presentations

National Juvenile Justice Symposium: Topic: Juvenile Justice Transformation

Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy: Topic: Juvenile Justice Transformation