Professor Ronald Winkley is the professional-in-residence in the criminology and criminal justice department at Niagara University.

Niagara University’s criminology and criminal justice department has a long list of ties to the surrounding community here at Monteagle Ridge, setting our students up for success in the classroom and down the road upon graduation.

Professor Ronald Winkley, a faculty member of our criminology and criminal justice department, resides as the professional-in-residence for the department. Winkley retired as Lewiston Police Chief in 2007, after 26 years on the force. With Winkley’s expertise in the field, he has emphasized the importance of networking with criminal justice professionals and organizations to broaden students’ knowledge and opportunities to best prepare them for entering the criminology and criminal justice field as individuals with a heightened sense of purpose.

Our criminology and criminal justice department has well-established relationships with all local police agencies and domestic violence units, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the FBI; the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); the District Attorney’s Office; and several community outreach programs, among others.

“The faculty members of our department are always willing to work with our students,” said Winkley. “We have a long list of ties with these various departments, agencies, and programs, and networking is highly important for student success.”

Students are also able to receive course credit for completing internships with these organizations through the field experience in criminal justice course. In this course, students are placed in a criminal justice agency and complete an internship under the supervision of a faculty member. Students may also be accommodated for their internships by receiving credit through an independent study.

“In having these opportunities with these various community ties, our students are able to set themselves apart from the rest,” said Winkley. “They have a willingness to work in the community and to develop their understanding of our community. This ability to think outside the box really sets them up for success, both in the classroom, and when they enter the field as professionals.”