Criminal Justice Alum Works as Director at Gateway Rehab Monday, July 18, 2011
Criminal justice alumnus Chris Ingram stands in front of The Tom Rutter House, a halfway
house for adult males who are in recovery from addiction.
Meet Chris Ingram
Degrees Earned: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, Point Park University
Graduation Years: B.S. in 2006; M.S. in 2007
Occupation: Director of Gateway Rehab's Extended Care Division, which consists of adult and youth halfway houses for males
Hometown and current residence: Aliquippa, Pa.
Why did you decide to study criminal justice?
I was working for Gateway Rehab's corrections program at the Beaver County Jail and was already a certified addiction counselor so I felt that a degree focused in the corrections field would be a good match for me.
How have you incorporated the skills you learned in the classroom to the work you do at Gateway Rehab?
Earning a bachelor's and master's degree from Point Park has helped me with career advancement. I have also been able to apply the administrative skills I learned in class in my role as director of the Extended Care Division.
What made you choose Point Park University?
I looked at several programs in the area and Point Park's Saturday program was the best option for me as a husband, father and working professional. Since I work full time Monday through Friday, being able to take classes on Saturdays gave me the best chance at succeeding.
Do you have a favorite memory from Point Park?
I have many positive memories from my time at Point Park. One was the developing of a crime scene in Professor Greg Rogers's class. I also enjoyed being part of a cohort and having lunch and conversations with my peers during breaks. Overall, I enjoyed the learning process and interaction with my peers and professors. I would encourage anyone wanting a career in criminal justice to look at Point Park University.
What are some of your future career goals?
My goals are to continue to strengthen Gateway's Extended Care Division, remain active with community-based programs and possibly teach someday.
What advice do you have for students looking to pursue a degree in criminal justice?
I would advise them to make sure that they truly understand the criminal justice field. I think many people get caught up in television shows on crime scene investigations. Individuals need to investigate the specific career they want to pursue in criminal justice prior to enrolling in an institution.
The Department of Criminal Justice and Intelligence Studies is part of Point Park University's School of Arts and Sciences and offers several bachelor's degrees and a master's degree in criminal justice administration.