CoCJ Strategic Plan

College of Criminal Justice Strategic Plan

Our Mission

We seek to enhance the upward social mobility of students and professionals within Texas and nationwide, aiming to elevate the overall quality of life for everyone in our communities. The College's commitment to teaching, research, and service actively drives improvements in policy and practice, nurtures critical thinking skills, instills ethical values, and imparts real-world knowledge. We prepare students for careers, provide professional development, support technical assistance to organizations, and produce, translate, and disseminate research across the disciplines. Integrating teaching and research through active collaboration with practitioners, policymakers, and community organizations empowers our diverse students and working professionals with the latest advancements essential to making meaningful contributions to a global society.

Our Vision

To be nationally renowned for advancing a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach integrating theory, research, and practice in the fields of criminal justice, criminology, victim studies, homeland security, and forensic science. This integrative approach offers the best criminal justice education in Texas and the nation, equipping our students for professional careers and higher academic pursuits. We aspire to be at the forefront for the quality of our executive education and networks that propel individuals, leaders, and organizations to contribute to safer and more just societies.

These strategic priorities align with the Criminal Justice Center’s vision and mission, emphasizing the integration of theory, research, and practice, as well as a commitment to serving the needs of communities, advancing knowledge, and fostering ethical and knowledgeable professionals in the fields of criminal justice, victim studies, homeland security, and forensic science.

Priority 1

Prioritize Multidisciplinary Education and Student Success

Foster an innovative approach to education, equipping our students for impactful professional careers and higher academic pursuits by offering a comprehensive understanding of criminal justice, criminology, victim studies, homeland security, and forensic science to a diverse student population.

Goals:

Equip students for professional careers and advanced academic pursuits by creating and delivering innovative degrees and academic certificates informed by current trends in the field.

Provide diverse student populations opportunities for social mobility by facilitating access to comprehensive education, fostering success, preparing students for lifelong achievements, and enhancing programmatic efforts and initiatives to eliminate opportunity and achievement gaps.

Increase student growth by recruitment, retention, and graduation, transforming undergraduate and graduate students toward success and driving sustainable growth within the COCJ’s departments.

Increase the availability of internships and study abroad/study away opportunities, expanding career readiness through experiential learning and career exploration and facilitating personal and professional development for students.

Priority 2

Expand and Elevate Collaborative Research Excellence

Promote multidisciplinary and collaborative research initiatives that bring together faculty, practitioners, policymakers, and students to address challenges in the field and contribute to meeting the needs of individuals, organizations, and leaders in the communities we serve.

Goals:

Promote collaborative research partnerships across higher education institutions, research institutions, and international partners to contribute to the college's and university's visibility and reputation.

Expand the integration of student research supporting faculty, practitioners, centers, and institutes' contribution to criminal justice, criminology, homeland security, victim studies, and forensic science.

Increase the number of grant applications submitted, grants awarded and the total dollars awared from external agencies.

Expand research in the field impacting organizations and communities in criminal justice, criminology, victim services, forensic science, and security studies.

Priority 3

Deliver Professional Development, Community Service, and Technical Assistance to the State and Beyond

Offer ongoing life-long learning opportunities for individuals, organizations, and communities featuring the latest advancements in criminal justice, criminology, homeland security, victim studies, and forensic science, aligning with the university's mission to empower students and professionals for lifelong success.

Goals:

Deliver professional development opportunities for working professionals, offering pathways from personal and professional development to academic credit.

Incorporate innovative ways to engage and serve the community, including increasing the number of Academic Community Engagement (ACE) courses offered and enhancing alumni outreach.

Provide technical assistance to the state and beyond, promoting advancements in criminal justice, criminology, victim services, forensic science, and homeland security.

Enhance global engagement in professional development and technical assistance and foster cross-cultural integration with students and student organizations.

Elevate the visibility of existing community and agency relationships through high-profile events.

Priority 4

Exemplify a Culture of Innovation and Sustainability

Implement a strategic framework that integrates cutting-edge infrastructure development, enhances faculty and staff productivity and satisfaction, fosters a culture of academic excellence, and integrates sustainable technological innovation within the Center.

Goals:

Align processes and resources to support faculty and staff retention within the Center , enhancing faculty and staff empowerment, productivity and satisfaction.

Leverage cutting-edge distance learning pedagogy and sustainable technological innovation to support the success of online programs and initiatives.

Integrate academic and professional efforts by expanding collaboration among academic departments, centers, and institutes.

Promote greater philanthropy through the Criminal Justice Center network focused on scholarships, donations, and community engagement.

Create targeted and innovative marketing and recruitment strategies.

College of Criminal Justice Values

Our values mirror the Sam Houston State University Strategic Plan