Chair & Professor — Criminal Justice, Social Work & Sociology
What area do you teach?
Education/Degree(s)
Your philosophy of teaching:
I believe genuine education occurs best through situations and revolves around one simple concept: it’s all about our students. Everything we do centers upon them – what students need; what students expect to gain from the experience; and how to best advocate for resources to help them succeed. Today’s students are increasingly diverse in terms of preparation, experience, and expectations for success. They must be able to tackle real-world issues and address challenges that do not have simple solutions. Ultimately, students should be the architects of their education, mentored by exceptional faculty who help them succeed. I believe we are limited only by our imagination!
Why did you decide to teach?
I was heavily involved in police training in the last half of my law enforcement career. Transitioning to offering the benefit of my experiences to aspiring professionals in a college setting and providing real-world insights into their chosen careers was just a natural evolution for me.
Career Path
I began my police career with the Bartlett Police Department (TN), where I served in patrol and with the Memphis Police Department Organized Crime Unit, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and as Narcotics Unit Commander. I retired as a Lieutenant with the Gulfport Police Department (MS), having served in a variety of patrol and investigative capacities and as commander of the Communications Division and Mounted Patrol Unit and Training Director. I hold Police Instructor certifications from the Mississippi POST Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice. I am a certified Mounted Police Instructor and received the Hurricane Katrina Service Award.
I started teaching as an adjunct at a community college while still with the police department. Before coming to Southeast, I served as a Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where I was president of the Faculty Senate, chair of the UT System Faculty Council, and a member of the UT Board of Trustees. My research and primary interests include college access and completion, adult degree completion, curriculum development and assessment, experiential learning, and police training.
Professional Highlight
The first and last days of every job I've had... and every day in between! Sure, there've been some bumps along the way, but I've been incredibly Blessed throughout my entire career. It's about working with and serving people to create a body of work that keeps building upon itself, and I'm beyond excited to continue this at Southeast!
Awards/Honors/Recognitions
Best Advice for Students
Engage! No matter what you do in college, and after, ENGAGE! Theodore Roosevelt said it best:
“ It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”