|
Barker Brings World-Class Experience to School of
Justice
|
|
With a background in both military and civilian security and
police departments, as well as experience in higher education,
Beth Barker comes to CCBC highly qualified to take over the role
of dean of the college’s new School of Justice. Her easy smile and
genial manner belie the fact that Barker is a no-nonsense veteran
of 22 years as a Security Police Officer in the United States Air
Force (Major, retired), and has directed law enforcement
operations at air bases stateside as well as in Korea, Greece,
England and Germany. Most recently, she developed a Criminal
Justice curriculum – and was the sole professor in the program –
at Central Pennsylvania College in Summerdale, Pa.
Barker holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminology/Sociology from St.
Leo College in Tampa, Fla., and a master’s degree in
Administration of Criminal Justice from the University of
Louisville (Ky.). She is also a graduate of the prestigious FBI
National Academy in Quantico, Va. and is the recipient of a number
of military commendations.
|
It’s the challenge of developing the framework, curriculum, philosophy
and direction of this new CCBC endeavor that most appeals to Barker, who
said that she is very excited about what CCBC will be doing in the next
three to five years. “I see so many things on the horizon,” she said.
“The timing for establishing the School of Justice is near perfect. With
the current domestic and worldwide attention on security issues, we’re
poised to offer excellent educational and training opportunities for
students entering or already working in the field.”
The CCBC School of Justice will provide a single point of focus for
academic programs and customized learning experiences in a variety of
areas, including law enforcement, security, corrections, rehabilitation
and law. These programs of study are expected to attract personnel from
criminal justice organizations, professionals and other motivated
learners in the Baltimore metropolitan region and around the state.
Barker’s energies are currently directed at charting out the first year
of the program, including developing curriculum, integrating the program
with other CCBC areas such as Information Technology and Allied Health,
and working on innovative ideas for marketing and partnerships. “The
possibilities are limitless,” she said. “Think about it. We’re not just
dealing with issues of physical security and safety anymore. We have to
educate students in cyber-security, e-crimes and computer forensics –
areas that are becoming increasingly important, and that are changing
every day,” Barker explained. “Criminal Justice is a career field that
will continue to grow in all areas.”
She is especially pleased with the program groundwork that has already
been laid. “I couldn’t ask for a better team,” she said, referring to
O.B. Zimmer (professor of Criminal Justice, CCBC Essex), Dennis Seymour
(professor of Criminal Justice, CCBC Catonsville) and Patty Ferraris,
(assistant professor/director of Paralegal Studies, CCBC Dundalk). “They
have already cemented paths and established partnerships that will be
invaluable to the success of our students.”
Barker is also energized about the partnership that already exists
between CCBC and the Baltimore County Police Training Academy. “It’s the
CJ [Criminal Justice] dream – to have a police academy here on the
Dundalk campus,” she said. “ I think we’ve just scratched the surface of
what a partnership like this can mean. Without a doubt their expertise
and facilities will be valuable to our students, and we certainly can be
of benefit to them in terms of the breadth and depth of our program and
educational opportunities.”
Simply put, Barker’s overriding mission is to “put out the best possible
product and provide the very best educational programs,” she said. “How
could any student turn us down?”
|
