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.
Barb Light
Interim Dean
PhD 2010 Eastern Michigan University
MS 2001 Western Michigan University
BS 1990 Michigan State University
Dr. Light serves as the Interim Dean for the College of Criminal Justice and Emergency Responders as well as in the role of Dean for the College of Education and Liberal Arts.
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.
Bryan Fuller
Emergency Medicine Assistant Professor
MA 2018 Siena Heights University
BAS 2014 Siena Heights University
Mr. Fuller worked as a paramedic for many years and is now teaching the next generation of emergency responders full time.
Dustin Gaberdiel
Emergency Medicine Instructor
BS Central Washington University, 2017
Associates Degree 2015, Lake Superior State University
Mr. Gaberdiel is a paramedic as well as a permanent part time Lake State instructor.
Paige Gordier
Criminal Justice Professor
MA 1989, PhD 1992, Sam Houston State University
BS 1988, Lake Superior State University
Dr. Gordier is a graduate of LSSU with a degree in Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement. She went on to graduate school in Texas where she earned a Masters degree in Criminology and Corrections and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University. In her doctoral program she specialized in research methods and statistics.
Dr. Gordier’s current research is related to jury selection in capital murder trials which occurred between 1850 and 1900. Her other research areas include inmate gangs, violence in prison and student success in non-traditional fields.
Herbert D. Henderson
Criminal Justice Professor
MPA 2001, NMU
BS 1994, Lake Superior State University
ABD 2010, NCU
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.
Scott Strait
Criminal Justice Assistant Professor
MPA 2001 Northern Michigan University
BS 1984 Lake Superior State University
Mr. Strait served at the Sheriff of Mackinac County and brings over 30 years of experience in law enforcement to his second career as a criminal justice educator.
Nick Vaught
Fire Science Instructor
BS 2004, Lake Superior State University
Mr. Vaught is a current member of the Sault Ste. Marie Fire Department as well as a permanent part time instructor for LSSU.