Criminal Justice

Greg retired from full-time teaching as a Professor at Lakeland Community College after 18 years and now serves as a Program Developer and Senior Training Instructor in Juvenile Behavioral Intelligence with  School Transportation Active-Threat Response Training (START). Greg began his law enforcement career as a police officer with the Youngstown Police Department before joining the United States Secret Service. He spent more than two decades as a Special Agent, specializing in protective intelligence and threat assessment, and served on the World Trade Center Recovery Task Force. He holds both bachelor's and master's degrees in criminal justice from Youngstown State University. 

Ed Perdian, B.A.

Ed brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, having served as a police officer with the Newburgh Heights and Moreland Hills Police Departments and later as Chief of Police for the Windham Police Department. He also served as an Internal Affairs Investigator with the Cleveland Division of Police in the Office of Professional Standards. In addition to his law enforcement career, he has over 15 years of experience in higher education as a criminal justice instructor. He holds an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice from Cuyahoga Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Baldwin Wallace University, along with numerous professional certifications, including completion of the Ohio Police Executive Leadership College (PELC).

Katie Atterbury, M.S.

Katie currently serves as a police officer with both the Kirtland Police Department and the Lakeland Community College Police Department. She previously worked as an adjunct faculty member at Notre Dame College, teaching courses in criminal justice, criminology, and victimology. Kathryn holds an Associate of Arts degree from Lakeland Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Youngstown State University, and a Master of Science in Criminal Behavior from Tiffin University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Emergency Management at Walden University.

Steve Roberts, M.S.

Steve currently serves as a criminal justice instructor at Auburn Career Center and has previously served as an adjunct faculty member at Kent State University and East Carolina University. Prior to his teaching role, Steve spent over two decades as a U.S. Probation Officer, working closely with federal courts, attorneys, and law enforcement agencies to supervise offenders, conduct investigations, and support sentencing decisions.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Administration of Justice from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Youngstown State University.  

Erick Smith, M.S., J.D.

Erick has extensive experience in both legal practice and higher education.  He has practiced law in Ohio and Pennsylvania, with experience as a criminal defense attorney and as an Assistant County Prosecutor, handling both criminal and civil litigation. In addition to his legal career, he has served in higher education and student affairs roles, including positions as a manager of student services and as an adjunct instructor teaching criminal justice.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York at Geneseo, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Tiffin University, and a Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University.