Troy Cochran, Director of Criminal Justice Program and Samantha Mears, NOC Alumni both attended the 2024 National Conference and Competition of the American Criminal Justice Association March 17-22 in Grapevine, Texas, and Southlake, Texas.Both serve on the regional executive board.Cochran is the regional vice-president and Mears is the regional secretary. In addition to coordinating and overseeing the event, both were able to find the time to compete in the competitions.Competitions include, physical agility, firearms, knowledge exams and crime scene investigation.Mears earned six first place trophies in the Upper undergraduate level.“I couldn’t be prouder of Samantha, she honors and brings great credit upon herself, NOC, Region 2 and the State of Oklahoma,” Cochran said.Mears won the following divisions Criminal Law Upper Division, Corrections Upper Division, Homeland & National Security Upper Division, Police Management Upper Division, Juvenile Justice Upper Division, and Forensic Psychology Upper Division.Cochran earned second place in the Criminal Law Pro Division, Homeland & National Security Pro Division, Police Management and third place in Juvenile Justice Pro Division, Corrections Pro Division, and Forensic Psychology Pro Division.Cochran was also elected National President at the annual business meeting.He currently serves locally as advisor to Delta Kappa Epsilon chapter at Northern Oklahoma College as well as the Region 2 Vice-President.He has already implemented new changes to the national organization and helping to bring this historic organization to the 21st century.“I am honored to have been elected to this position and with the support of the executive board will preserve the traditions of the organization while also implementing innovative changes in key areas to stabilize and improve upon my predecessors work,” Cochran said.The American Criminal Justice Association is a 501(c)7 tax-exempt organization devoted to expanding professionalism and education in all areas of the criminal justice field.For more information, please visit www. acjalae.org .
