Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree Program

Dr. George Ackerman is a Professor in the area of criminal justice, business and the law. He received his Ph.D. from the School of Public Service Leadership, Capella University, a J.D. from the Shepard Broad Law Center, Nova Southeastern University and Police certification from Miami-Dade College School of Justice. His current research focuses on the underserved population of family members of homicide victims.

Outside of the classroom I enjoy running charity 5K’s, basketball, family time and volunteering for https://www.togetherforsharon.com/ which I founded in memory of my mother, Sharon Riff Ackerman for Parkinson’s Awareness & hope for a cure.

Daryl Capuano has taught government, law and criminal justice courses for Charter Oak since 2001, including courses that he designed related to Constitutional Law, The Modern Presidency, and Controversies in Law and Government. He loves teaching Charter Oak students and tells anyone willing to listen that Charter Oak is a wonderful institution.

Daryl graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Georgetown University, where he graduated number one in his concentration and was named the Outstanding Student in American Government. Daryl simultaneously earned a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he was named to Who’s Who in American Law Students, and a master’s degree from Penn’s Fels Center of Government. Daryl also received an Equal Justice Foundation Fellowship to work at the The Brookings Institute, served as an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia and the United States as an enforcement attorney with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Daryl lives in Old Saybrook, CT with his wife and three children.

Dr. Tuesday L. Cooper has 25 years of experience in higher education as both an administrator and faculty member. Dr. Cooper began teaching interdisciplinary and criminal justice related courses at the School of Human Services at Springfield College (Springfield, MA) and currently serves as full-time faculty at Manchester Community College in Manchester, CT. Prior to her career in higher education, she practiced law (criminal defense and landlord/tenant) and worked in the human services field.

Dr. Cooper serves as a reviewer for the Journal of Negro Education and the Journal of Studies in Graduate and Professional Student Development. She is the author of The Sista’ Network: African American Women Faculty Successfully Negotiating the Road to Tenure and Diversity on Campus (2nd Edition, Co-Authored with Drs. David Schuman and Carolyn Pillow).

Dr. Cooper earned an Ed.D., in Higher Education Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst; a J.D., from Western New England College School of Law; and a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. More recently, she’s earned certificates in Online, Hybrid and Blended Education and Working Adult Education from Laureate International Universities.

U.S. Navy Veteran; retired Bridgeport police Detective, and POSTC instructor specializing in homeland security, state and local anti-terrorism tactics, WMD, and suicide bombers.

Upon retiring I transitioned to federal service, I was employed with the US Office of Personnel Management as an Investigations case analyst and special Agent. Additionally, I had the privilege of being a member of the Marine Forces North Intelligence and Threat Information Fusion Cell as the law enforcement intelligence analyst.

Susana Orozco is the Director for the Academic Programs at Charter Oak State College. She also is an adjunct faculty teaching within the Criminal Justice Program. She holds a master’s degree (M.S.) in Criminal Justice with a focus in Victimology from the University of New Haven, CT, Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences. She also completed her bachelor’s degree from Springfield College, B.S. in Human Services. Susana participates on different Charter Oak committees such as the Equity Action Team (DEI), General Education Task force, Accessibility Task Force, and Strategic Planning.

Prior to her Academic titles, her previous experience has been working as a clinician with juvenile, adult offenders within a variety of rehabilitation programs including working closely with court officials; police/probation/parole officers, bail commissioners, public defenders, private attorneys, and other state institutions. She has worked for the following organizations: Wheeler Clinic, Community Mental Health Affiliates, CT Dept. of Children and Families including internship with CT Adult Probation (CSSD).

Past appointment titles include Academic Program Director for Criminal Justice/Homeland Security Program, Associate Dean for Gen. Ed. Courses, and adjunct faculty for online/on-ground courses teaching a variety of Criminal Justice subjects such as Introduction to CJ, Criminology, Report Writing for CJ, Cultural Diversity for the CJ Professional, Women & Crime.

Susana is also a published co-author for the IDS 101: Cornerstone Seminar E-Book: Reading Materials which is an Open Education Resource (OER) material available on GoOpen Ct, licensed by Creative Commons, Student Success in Online Programs.

During her free time, Susana enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, catching up on current events involving criminal justice topics, and traveling.

Dr. Orlando Wright holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Connecticut and a Ph.D. in Human Behavior from Capella University. Dr. Wright is the Director of Partnerships and Innovation at the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). Previously, he facilitated inter-agency collaboration across hospitals, community-based organizations, and the Local Behavioral Health Authorities to optimize and develop behavioral health resources within Montgomery and Prince George County, Maryland.

Dr. Wright is a board licensed clinical social worker and supervisor in Maryland, USA. He has over 20 + years of experience in management, behavioral health systems, & partnership development. He enjoys innovation within the behavioral health space and continues to optimize, drive, and facilitate groundbreaking ideas in the field of behavioral health.

Dr. Wright authored, “Parenting Status Offending Youth: Parent’s Perceptions of Diversionary Services in the Juvenile Justice System,” and co-authored, “Soaring into Greatness.” Dr. Wright is married and he is the father of two lovely girls. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, outdoor activities, and mentorship.