Biography:

Mark Marsolais is a Professor of Criminal Justice and Security at Thomas College. Sam Houston State University awarded him a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice. In addition to his doctorate, Professor Marsolais has a B.S. degree and M.A. degree in Psychology. He specializes in teaching criminal justice, policing, homeland security, conservation law, evidence, critical issues, and special topics (e.g., Police Use of Force; Search and Detection K9s). Professor Marsolais served over 20 years with the Houston Police Department as a patrol officer, criminal investigator, Internal Affairs investigator, and supervisor of patrol, defensive tactics, and special operations. In addition to his policing experience, Professor Marsolais served as a director of national and international canine detection programs for a Washington-based security firm. Since the late 1980s, he has been involved in canine search and detection as a hander, trainer, and educator. He has direct experience with deploying canines to search and locate human remains, wanted suspects, contraband, lost persons, and disaster victims. Prior to getting his education, and police and security experience, Professor Marsolais served as an enlisted soldier (Arabic-Egyptian Linguist and EW Operator) with the US Army’s 101st Airborne Division. He is an honorably discharged Vietnam-Era Veteran. He lives in Mid-Coast Maine with his wife and daughter; they maintain a small farm populated with dogs, chickens, horses, cats and assorted wildlife. He spends his spare time enjoying the four seasons of Maine and the activities associated with them (e.g., running, hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, skiing, shoveling snow, avoiding ticks and black flies).

Teaching Philosophy/Value Statement:

Providing students a comprehensive criminal justice education provides our nation with knowledgeable and indispensable citizens.

Degrees:

• Ph.D. in Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
• M.A. in Psychology, University of Houston – Clear Lake, Houston, TX
• B.S. in Physiological Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI