Criminal Justice Administration
Department Head, Criminal Justice Administration
Associate Professor Criminal Justice, 2012
Doctorate (Ph.D.), University of South Florida
Master’s (M.A.), University of South Florida
Bachelor’s (B.S.), Florida Gulf Coast University
Bachelor’s (B.S.B.A.), University of Southern Maine
Associate’s (A.S.B.A.), University of Southern Maine
JC-113, Phone: 417.625.9684, e-mail: verrill-s@mssu.edu
Dr. Verrill serves as the department head, teaching courses and providing leadership for the Associate and Bachelor degree programs, a cooperative online Master’s degree, the law enforcement academy, and continuing education criminal justice seminars. Dr. Verrill attended his first police academy in 1982, subsequently serving in various practitioner capacities to include, armored car guard; contract security guard and later contract security manager; CEO and president of a small private investigation and contract security guard company in the State of Maine; plain clothes detective with the Washington State Liquor Control Board; uniformed police officer with the Seattle (Washington) Police Department; and police academy and in-service instructor. Dr. Verrill earned his PhD in Criminology in 2005, subsequently serving in various academic capacities in the area of criminal justice and research at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels.
Bachelor's Coordinator
Assistant Professor Criminal Justice, 1995
Bachelor's (B.S.), Missouri Southern State University
Master's (M.S.), Central Missouri State University
JC-101, Phone: 417.625.3171, e-mail: spencer-r@mssu.edu
Mr. Spencer has over 12 years experience as a police officer, Chief Deputy Juvenile Officer and child abuse investigator of the state of Missouri. He has also served on the board of Directors of the Missouri Juvenile Justice Association. In conjunction with Missouri Southern's International Mission he has led more than 150 students on international study tours. These tours have examined the justice systems of Australia, New Zealand, France, Spain, Africa, England, and Italy.
Assistant Professor Criminal Justice, 2011
Bachelor’s (B.S.), Missouri Southern State University
Master’s (M.S.), Pittsburg State University
JC-103, Phone: 417.625.9680, e-mail: adams-c@mssu.edu
Previous to being with Missouri Southern Professor Adams served as the Executive Director of Children's Center Of SWMO. The Children's Center is a child advocacy center serving over one thousand abused children each year. Before that he served as a Juvenile Officer with Missouri's 29th Judicial Circuit for 12 years and has extensive knowledge and experience relating to the issues of the juvenile court system. Professor Adams was the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Network of Child Advocacy Centers and served on the Board of Directors of the Economic Security Corporation. Before coming to Missouri Southern State University he was part of a statewide multi-disciplinary team, supported by U.S. Department of Justice that developed the "Children in Meth Labs Project." The project developed a state wide protocol to improve the safety and medical care of children found in Meth labs.
Law Enforcement Academy Training Coordinator, 2008
Bachelor’s (B.S.), Missouri Southern State University
JC-111, ext. 9519, e-mail: cowdin-m@mssu.edu
Mr. Matt Cowdin is the Training Coordinator for the Law Enforcement Academy. He is a 13 year veteran of Law Enforcement, who served 11 years for the Joplin Police Department as a patrol officer, field training officer, and narcotics investigator. He achieved the rank of Corporal within the department. Cowdin has assisted in several large scale investigations with the Jasper County Drug Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigations, and the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
Professor Criminal Justice, 1994
Bachelor’s (B.A.), Indiana University
Law Degree (J.D.), Univ. of Missouri-Columbia
JC-104, ext. 3143, e-mail: scott-t@mssu.edu
Dr. Scott has extensive experience with local agencies, serving as Legal Advisor to the Jasper County Juvenile Court and as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Jasper County. Her teaching duties include the Criminal Justice Administration department and School of Business, in addition, she is the Pre-Law Advisor.
Associate Professor Criminal Justice, 1998
Bachelor’s (B.S.), Missouri Southern State University
Master’s (M.S.), Pittsburg State University
Specialist (Ed.S.), Pittsburg State University
JC-105, ext. 9738, e-mail: spurlin-jj@mssu.edu
Mr. Spurlin served as a state child abuse investigator for eight years before returning to Missouri Southern as an Assistant Professor. Mr. Spurlin also has a diverse background in asset protection and has worked and consulted with St. John's hospital, Contract Freighters Inc., and Precious Moments. Mr. Spurlin was a part time instructor for four years and has been a full-time instructor since 1999.
3950 Newman Road
Joplin, MO 64801-1595
(417) 625-9300
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