Michael Tineo

Project focus: The Fellow will build bridges between researchers and communities impacted by violence to design rigorous evaluations of community violence intervention efficacy that are rooted in the needs and goals of community members.

Michael Tineo is a justice advocate, entrepreneur, educator, and public speaker committed to creating opportunities for justice-impacted and underserved communities. With more than 15 years of experience working with justice-impacted populations, Michael brings a unique perspective shaped by lived experience, academic achievement, and professional leadership. Michael holds a master’s degree in professional studies, a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science, and an associate of science degree, graduating valedictorian and summa cum laude across his academic career. Previously, Michael served as an assistant academic advisor with Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison, helping incarcerated students access higher education and coordinating academic programs at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. He also served for years as a religious leader within the Muslim congregation at Sing Sing. Michael is also an experienced public speaker who has spent more than a decade advocating for criminal justice reform, education, rehabilitation, and successful reentry. Michael has been featured in the documentary Beyond and continues to participate in screenings and discussions designed to challenge perceptions of incarceration and highlight pathways toward transformation, leadership, and redemption.