For Dane Stausing, law enforcement has always been a calling. After nearly three decades of police work, the Missouri-native and Southeast Missouri State University alumnus has officially joined SEMO as the director of the University Police Academy, training the next generation of officers.
Stausing grew up in Union, Missouri, and earned his associate degree in criminal justice at East Central Community College before transferring to SEMO. While Stausing originally considered becoming a firefighter, the loss of a close family friend due to drugs motivated him to focus on law enforcement and social rehabilitation.
“That’s what made me want to become a cop,” said Stausing. “It’s why I chose to focus on social rehabilitation and treatment.”
By his senior year, Stausing had already taken his first steps into law enforcement. In 1997, he entered SEMO’s Law Enforcement Academy (now the University Police Academy) and began serving with the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Just a year later, he completed his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at SEMO, where he also joined Sigma Nu fraternity, built lifelong friendships, and found mentors among the faculty who sharpened his sense of purpose. A few years down the road, Stausing transitioned to the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, steadily working his way through the ranks until he retired as captain after more than 20 years of dedicated service.
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But retirement didn’t last long. In 2019, Stausing was tapped to launch the criminal justice program at the Cape Girardeau Career & Technology Center. He built the curriculum from the ground up, creating lesson plans, internships and opportunities that connected students with agencies across Southeast Missouri.
“Law enforcement is in your blood,” said Stausing. “This work gives you purpose. For me, coming back to Cape where I started is really special. Now I get to pass that purpose onto others.”
Now leading the University Police Academy, Stausing is focused on expanding partnerships, strengthening curriculum and modernizing training to reflect the evolving needs of today’s public safety professionals. Under his leadership, the Academy is aligning more closely with Missouri POST standards, integrating advanced scenario-based instruction, and creating stronger pipelines between students and local law enforcement agencies.
Stausing says teaching and mentoring future officers is what drives him.
“I really like teaching officers,” Stausing said. “You can see it in their face when they really understand—why we do something a certain way, why procedures matter. That’s why I love teaching. Now I get to share that not only with recruits, but also with high school students who are just beginning to explore this career.”
Many of the instructors Stausing invites to the Academy are attorneys, officers and experts from across the region, giving students high-quality training but also opportunities to connect with future employers.
“I’m fortunate that my career has given me so many connections,” Stausing said. “It’s great to bring in people who can share their knowledge, and at the same time, recruit our students.”
Looking back, Stausing credits SEMO for giving him the education, experience, and confidence to pursue a lifelong career in law enforcement—and now, to mentor those who will follow in his footsteps.
“To students considering criminal justice, I’d say this: if you have a heart for service and a drive to protect and support your community, this is a great path,” said Stausing. “It’s challenging, it’s rewarding and it’s something bigger than yourself.”
For Stausing, what began as a desire to make a difference has grown into a career of service, leadership and teaching, a journey that started at SEMO and continues to shape communities across Southeast Missouri.
Along with welcoming a new director, the University Police Academy began $1.5 million renovation of the academy facilities this summer, starting a new era of community-centric policing at SEMO.
The University Police Academy is currently accepting applications for the spring 2026 cohort, apply by December 19 at semo.edu/police-academy. If you’re ready to start a career in criminal justice, visit semo.edu/criminaljustice.