Professor by day, police officer by night
Seth Atkins, Visual Arts Editor
Did you know that North Greenville University has a professor that also works in law enforcement? Director of Adult and Professional Studies for the College of Humanities and Science and Associate Professor of Psychology Marti Glass not only works at NGU, but he also works, voluntarily, for the city of Landrum Police Department.
The city of Landrum is twenty minutes from North Greenville, so Glass goes between the two destinations weekly. In fact, Glass works about 40 hours a week as a NGU professor and works as a police officer about 20 to 30 hours a month.
While he is working as a professor, Glass is always on duty working on the online psychology program and being the online criminal justice program director. Glass is in charge of course development and supervision, meaning he develops, hires and manages faculty for his specific online programs. Not only that, but he is a part of the development of policy for the online departments and committee service. That includes the development of policy for the NGU online program. With all the many tasks, Glass also manages to teach within the online psychology program.
In his separate police job, Glass undergoes normal police tasks. He patrols within city limits in Landrum, conducts investigations of crime and traffic accidents. Glass also provides coverage for all events within the city, and he works shifts when officers are out sick. This has come in handy, especially within the COVID-19 pandemic.
Having two jobs requires great deal of time management for anyone. Glass keeps up with the busyness by completing most of his work in the evenings and on weekends. Glass says, “So it is not too much of a challenge.”
The Landrum PD has been very understanding toward Glass having another job that is full-time. Glass said, “The administration at the police department understands there is a full-time job and are very supportive when I cannot participate in an event.”
Being a police officer always seems to inhabit the unexpected. Glass shares an interesting situation while on duty, “There was a suicidal individual present. And I am a psychology professor and a licensed mental health professional. So, I have been able to spend a little time and assist that individual, get the help needed, and help with a smooth transition into treatment.”
With two totally different careers, Glass stays faithful to both. Recently, Glass even was recognized as Reserve Officer of the Year for his outstanding excellence in service to the Landrum Police Department. He received his award at an awards dinner on Thursday, Feb. 24.
Glass finds that being a professor can be very rewarding. Glass states, “I find it very rewarding teaching and being a part of the process of the student becoming a professional in their field.”
On the flip side, being a police officer has its rewards too. For Glass, he expresses, “As a police officer, I enjoy serving others and helping. I would add it is awesome that there are current students at LPD, and I also get to work with two NGU alumni that I have had as students.” Glass continues to make an impact, not only on NGU students, but in the Landrum community as well.
