Of the almost 150 professors employed by Ashland University, one who is using her real-world experience to give students an interactive learning environment is Professor Anne Strouth, the Program Director of the Criminal Justice and the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Programs.

Prior to teaching at Ashland, Strouth had years of professional experience in the criminal justice field.

Strouth’s career in criminal justice began as a dispatcher for the Loudonville Police Department over 30 years ago. She earned her associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from North Central Technical College at the same time.

After a few months of work as a dispatcher, she decided to become an officer and joined the Police Academy to become a Loudonville police officer.

She then worked in Mansfield as a state trooper for the State Highway Patrol, where she met her husband.

“Since my husband was a trooper and I was a trooper, it was a little hectic. So, he said, ‘Hey, let’s make a career change, either you or me.’ So, I changed,” said Strouth, explaining how she became a college professor.

She first taught at North Central State College, her alma mater, while getting her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Ashland University.

While working as Police Academy Commander at North Central State, she also returned to work as a Loudonville police officer on the weekends.

Following her time at North Central State College and the Loudonville Police Department, she worked a state job in investigation for two years before starting her role at Ashland University. She has a master’s degree in Human Services with a specialization in Criminal Justice from Capella University and is still an active police officer.

“I want (my students) to develop excellent critical thinking, problem solving skills, which are totally essential in today’s criminal justice professions,” said Strouth. “I definitely want to give them every possible opportunity to have confidence in their future, and by them

doing, and they see what they do, and they did it. It gives them more confidence,” she continued.

She highlighted the university’s criminal justice lab as a key factor in her goal of giving the students a hands-on experience.

She also complemented the students she has taught at Ashland, saying that she can see their enthusiasm through teaching them.

“I give credit to the students themselves, that they want to participate in their education, and they want to learn,” she said.