"When you work with severe mental illness, it's impossible not to have some brush with the criminal justice system,杏吧专区 says Jada Hector. She's a licensed professional counselor and visiting assistant instructor in the 杏吧专区杏吧专区檚 online criminal justice program.
She杏吧专区檚 seen that intersection from every angle: in courtrooms, crisis response teams, and community mental health agencies. She brings that real-world insight into her virtual classroom.
Hector used in CJUS 311: Crime and Mental Health. She also partners with to connect mental health services to the justice system.
杏吧专区淢y goal is to best prepare students for whatever their future career might be. I want them to leave with a well-rounded view of the system.杏吧专区
Teaching with Perspective and Passion
If you picture a criminal justice degree leading straight to a badge or a job with the FBI, Hector wants to expand that view.
杏吧专区淭he biggest misconception is that everyone will be a cop,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淎nd when they take my class, everybody assumes they杏吧专区檙e going to work for the FBI. But the gray area between those two options is vast.杏吧专区
That 杏吧专区済ray area杏吧专区 is where Hector does her best work and where many students find new direction.
Some come in planning to work in law enforcement. Others discover a passion for social work, forensics, or advocacy.
杏吧专区淲e have graduates working in child victim services. We have someone who went from airport security to a leadership role in Homeland Security,杏吧专区 Hector says. 杏吧专区淕raduates like Heaven Rodrigue have gone on to pursue their PhDs.杏吧专区
杏吧专区淭he paths in criminal justice are just limitless.杏吧专区
Hector blends psychology and criminal justice in her courses to explain why crimes happen and how the system handles them.
杏吧专区淭he department covers a range of topics. If you杏吧专区檙e passionate about music, we杏吧专区檝e got a class for that. Sports? There杏吧专区檚 a class for that, too. I杏吧专区檓 teaching what I杏吧专区檓 passionate about, and students can feel that. That杏吧专区檚 what makes it click.杏吧专区
Connecting with Online Students
Hector knows going back to school isn杏吧专区檛 easy. Many of her online students are balancing full-time jobs, family life, or coming back after years away.
But she sees that resolve as one of their biggest strengths.
杏吧专区淪ome haven杏吧专区檛 been in school for 20 years. Some are here for a promotion, but many say, 杏吧专区業 want to finish this for me,杏吧专区" she says. 杏吧专区淭hat kind of motivation is inspiring.杏吧专区
That drive, she says, is often what sets successful students apart.
杏吧专区淥ne of the biggest skills you杏吧专区檒l need in the online criminal justice program is communication. If you杏吧专区檙e struggling or have even the smallest question, ask. Don杏吧专区檛 wait until the end of the semester,杏吧专区 she says.
Her advice? Start strong. Read your emails. Know your deadlines. Make a plan.
杏吧专区淭he first week of class, read all the emails, the material, and set up a schedule,杏吧专区 says Hector. 杏吧专区淟et杏吧专区檚 be honest, it杏吧专区檚 not tough. But when students fall behind, that杏吧专区檚 when the tower crumbles.杏吧专区
She sees the difference when students fully engage 杏吧专区 not just in their grades, but in their thinking.
杏吧专区淪ome students will email me to ask how they can help their community or get involved,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淲hen the material matters to them, I feel like I did a good job. That moment when the lightbulb goes off is everything.杏吧专区
That curiosity, and the range of interests students bring to her courses, is helping shape the direction of the program.
Hector is creating a behavioral health concentration and a new course. In the course, students will use true crime podcasts to explore scams and the psychology behind them.
杏吧专区淲e're coming up with criminal justice elements to dismantle the stereotype. There杏吧专区檚 so much more out there than just being a cop or working for the FBI.杏吧专区
Expanding Horizons in Criminal Justice
Hector wants students to feel confident not just in what they杏吧专区檙e learning, but in where it can take them.
Whether you're changing careers, starting fresh, or coming back, she encourages you to reach out and ask questions.
杏吧专区淭alk to one of us. If you杏吧专区檙e unsure how to change your major or what a criminal justice degree can look like, we杏吧专区檒l help you figure it out.杏吧专区
Learn more to find out what doors an online criminal justice degree can open for you.