Put Your Hands Up for SCCC’s New Criminal Justice Professor

By Cheryl Conway                                                                                                                  

College Hill Writer

Combined With an Immense Experience in Both Criminal Justice and Academia, Dawn Flanders Has Come to SCCC!

Photograph by J. Jeffreys

Students enrolled in criminal justice classes at Sussex County Community College in Newton can expect to learn from a professor who has been there and done that!

“First-hand knowledge and experience with the criminal justice system inspired me to continue in academia,” shares Dawn Flanders, assistant professor of Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Program Coordinator and Criminal Justice Club Advisor.

A professor for four years, Flanders taught at Seton Hall University, Raritan Valley Community College, and Middlesex College before starting at SCCC in the Fall of 2024. She teaches four classes: Health & Fitness for the Public Safety Professional; Juvenile Justice; Law Enforcement; and Police Patrol Administration. As a previous community college student, Flanders can relate to her students navigating their way through their schooling and realizing their professional potential.

“What I like most is the feeling of full circle education since I graduated from Ocean County College,” says Flanders. “I can understand many students' challenges and how important this educational step is to them because I sat at the same desks they do.” 

She also welcomes her diversified group of students and smaller class sizes. 

“I like the diversity among students, which brings many angles into class discussions,” she shares. “I enjoy helping students at the beginning of their higher education and getting them excited about their criminal justice interests. I also like the smaller class sizes because they allow me to give students more personalized attention and mentorship along with their academic or professional pursuits. Overall, students' growth and success drive me.” 

She flashes back to her college years and transitions into her work in criminal justice and teaching.

“I became a college professor due to my academic and law enforcement experiences,” she says. “Working with Dr. Albert Roberts while attending Rutgers University for my undergraduate degree allowed me to be a part of an experience that would prove life-changing: the chance to serve as the Lead Teacher's Assistant. Dr. Roberts's mentorship and his passion for teaching opened my eyes to education as a profession. Additionally, my position as a school resource officer and my time assigned to the juvenile detective bureau before I retired from law enforcement solidified my interest in education,” she adds. “I taught and mentored hundreds of students in these positions for many years, particularly in prevention and outreach.” 

Teaching at SCCC is her way to give back to the community and help prepare the next generation of criminal justice professionals.

“As a professor, I combine practical experiences with academic theory and give my students a well-rounded perspective aimed at preparedness for real-world challenges,” shares Flanders.

Photograph by J. Jeffreys (Professor Dawn Flanders Teaching One of Her Classes)

Outside of the classroom, Flanders is advising the Criminal Justice Club.  

It’s all about student leadership, she says.

“I'm here to support and facilitate them,” says Flanders about the club. “At the same time, they lead the creation of an active, hands-on learning experience—examples of career development through community service projects, guest speakers, field trips, and networking events.”

Flanders is proud that the club is back and is confident it will only help the students in their educational journey.

“I aim to ensure this is the ultimate experience for our criminal justice majors here at SCCC,” says Flanders. “That means excellent resumé-building opportunities and get-noticed stuff so that they are competitive when they apply for jobs in the field. It will be a great year!”