TORRINGTON – Lawbreakers beware – Eastern Wyoming College’s new criminal justice instructor, Shane Stone, Ph.D, lives and breathes to protect and serve, and he’s bringing his passion and experience to a classroom near you.
Stone, who started at EWC in January, has explored nearly every (law-abiding) avenue of the criminal justice system: He’s worked as an investigator for the Missouri Department of Corrections; U.S. probation officer; sheriff’s deputy; police officer; eight years as a Missouri State Trooper; and served in the Army National Guard and Army Reserves as a military police officer in the criminal investigative division.
In addition, he has a Ph.D. in leadership from the University of Cumberlands; master’s degree in theological studies from Midwestern Baptist College; master’s in criminal justice from Lindenwood University; and bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Central Missouri State University.
Prior to his position at EWC, he taught at Casper College for five years.
“I come from a family of police officers,” Stone said. “I knew from high school I wanted to be in law enforcement … so I’ve got to do that, and then I got the opportunity to get into teaching – I really enjoy teaching.”
Stone said he prefers to engage students in the subject matter, rather than lecture at the front of the classroom.
“My teaching style is participatory,” he explained. “The students get a say in how the class unfolds, the kinds of activities they want to do and are interested in that will bolster their learning. I try to run a classroom that has a lot of discussion.”
Stone’s ultimate goal is to help EWC’s criminal justice program reach new heights.
“I want people from multiple states to come here for the criminal justice program,” he said. “I want to help build a vibrant, healthy, wildly popular, efficient, effective program. I want students who graduate from here to graduate with the tools they need, whether they plan to further their educational pursuits or for (an immediate) workforce situation – I try to teach in such a way that benefits all different camps.
“I want to work towards a program that is the cream of the crop,” he emphasized. “Especially for Wyoming students pursuing criminal justice – that they will want to take a good, hard look at EWC.”
As for his new surroundings in Goshen County, Stone said he and his wife of 27 years hail from a rural background in northeast Missouri
“We’ll fit right in. We’re very excited,” he said, adding his hobbies include hunting and fishing – especially ice fishing, although he hasn’t had a chance to head out on any area reservoirs yet.
“I really do consider it an honor to be here,” Stone said. “I just think (EWC) had a need, and I’m a good fit for this school. It’s a good relationship. The future is very, very bright for criminal justice at EWC.”
