As the 100^th anniversary of the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) approached, criminal justice students at Centenary University received a special guest: Col. Patrick J. Callahan, superintendent of the NJSP.

Col. Callahan was on campus to share career insights with students enrolled in Careers in Criminal Justice, a course taught by Douglas Compton, Ed.D., former Washington Township police officer and assistant professor of criminal justice.

During his lecture, Col. Callahan discussed his distinguished career with the NJSP, and the proud history of the agency, which celebrated its 100^th anniversary on March 29. The son of a state trooper, Col. Callahan noted that his initial career goal didn’t include becoming New Jersey’s top cop. He told the students, “Years ago I signed up to be a trooper. I did not sign up to be a colonel and be on the governor’s executive cabinet doing press conferences three times a week. But opportunities present themselves to you, so you need to run with them. I love being a trooper.” 

The Careers course invites professionals from the criminal justice system to address students, mostly first-years, on the various career opportunities available after they successfully graduate with a criminal justice degree.

Other guest speakers this semester—including several Centenary University alumni who are currently in the criminal justice system—include a municipal police officer, probation officer, U.S. Army staff sergeant, U.S. postal inspector, sheriff’s officer, county prosecutor, attorney/public defender, state corrections officer, parole officer, court administrator, and judge.