Faculty and Staff
School of Criminal Justice, Fire Science, and Emergency Services
The faculty and staff of the School of Criminal Justice, Fire Science, and Emergency Services are committed to helping you reach your academic goals, and professional aspirations.
Dr. Kathy Berchem
Dean for the College of Health and Emergency Responders
DNP 2014, Rush University
BA 1993, University of Windsor
BSN 1997, Lake Superior State University
MSN 2003, Michigan State University
AANC 2003, Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Sheri Garee
Academic Assistant
Ms. Garee serves the College of Criminal Justice and Emergency Responders as well as the College of Education and Liberal Arts.
Bradley Clegg
Assistant professor of criminal justice
M.S. Michigan State University 2021
B.S. Lake Superior State University 1999
Bryan Fuller
Emergency Medicine Assistant Professor
M.A. Siena Heights University 2018
B.A.S. Siena Heights University 2014
Mr. Fuller worked as a paramedic for many years and is now teaching the next generation of emergency responders full time.
Herbert D. Henderson
Criminal Justice Professor
M.P.A. NMU 2001
B.S. Lake Superior State University 1994
A.B.D. NCU 2010
Mr. Herb Henderson is Associate Professor of Criminal Justice. He holds a Masters in Public Administration and Criminal Justice from Northern Michigan University, with a graduate certificate in homeland security. He is working toward his Ph.D.
Professor Henderson is regional anti-terrorism trainer for Northern Michigan. He teaches homeland security, criminalistics, internship, police operations, and investigations. He serves as the Director of both the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) and the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) and Programming Coordinator for LSSU. He is the recipient of the 2014 Distinguished Teaching Award at LSSU and the 2012 Academic Advisor Award.
Mr. Henderson is an active service police officer with over 20 years of law enforcement experience including service as shift commander with SSMPD. He has earned a Distinguished Service Award and numerous other citations. He has served as Union President for patrol officers and command staff and is the current chair of the police and fire pension board.
Kevin Mohar
Part-time instructor of emergency services
B.S. Lake Superior State University 1999
Scott Strait
Criminal Justice Assistant Professor
M.P.A. Northern Michigan University 2001
B.S. Lake Superior State University 1984
Mr. Strait served at the Sheriff of Mackinac County and brings more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement to his second career as a criminal justice educator.
Nick Vaught
Fire Science Instructor
B.S. Lake Superior State University 2004
Mr. Vaught is a current member of the Sault Ste. Marie Fire Department as well as a permanent part-time instructor for LSSU.
Aaron Westrick
Criminal Justice Associate Professor
Ph.D. Wayne State University 1998
M.S. Wayne State University 1986
B.A. Michigan State University 1982
Curriculum vitae (pdf)
Dr. Aaron Westrick is Associate Professor of Criminal Justice. He holds a Ph.D. from Wayne State University. Has been at LSSU for 10 years teaching courses in loss control, crisis intervention, ethical issues, police process, MCOLES classes and recreation studies (self-defense).
Dr. Westrick is an active Deputy Sheriff for Charlevoix County. He is the recipient of awards for valor, having been wounded in exchange of gunfire with a felon.
He has authored a book on Use of Force Investigation and has future publications on forensic science and criminology, and crime scene investigation.
He has participated in and/or written in grants in excess of $1 million. Dr. Westrick is a recognized court expert in a number of areas within use of force investigation, law enforcement policy, and ballistics/armor research. He is the principal of Ballistic Armor Research Group, LLC. Dr. Westrick has participated in numerous defense contracts regarding the research and development of armor systems.
CJ professor Herb Henderson receives Distinguished Teaching Award
Herb Henderson, a professor who has dedicated his life to law enforcement first as a police officer and now as a member of Lake Superior State University’s criminal justice faculty, has received the LSSU Distinguished Teaching Award.
Two alumni, now police officers, receive commendations for bravery
Sault Ste. Marie Police Sgt. Supervisor Herb Henderson and Officer Phil Donnay recently received commendations from the police department for bravery in the line of duty after the two were involved in a dangerous situation in the city earlier this year. The two convinced a person who was threatening to attempt suicide to drop the handgun with which he was armed.
