Meet Criminal Justice Professor Michelle Mann

As a native of St. Petersburg, Michelle Mann strives to give back to her community.

“One of the reasons I came to SPC is my passion for learning,” said Michelle, a professor in SPC’s College of Public Safety, Public Policy and Legal Studies. “It’s important to impact my community through education.”

Impacting her students is a job she does not take lightly. Michelle teaches an array of Criminal Justice courses from Constitutional Law to Gangs and Terrorism. She says many students come to her classes with a notion of the criminal justice system from what they see in shows like Law and Order and CSI. Michelle helps them gain a real world understanding of the system not just by teaching what’s in the books, but also by connecting students with professionals from all facets of the system, such as judges, corrections, human services, forensics and mental health.

“I really enjoy working with students and watching the lightbulb come on. That is such a profound opportunity,” she said.

In addition to exposing students to the array of careers available, she also tries to impart the soft skills required for gaining jobs in those fields.

“I try and help them understand the life skills and soft skills needed in the system, like communication skills. How is my delivery, how do I talk to people, how do I get them to comply?” she said.

She’s honed those skills from both years of working in the corrections system and human services, as well as from those who inspire her in her personal and professional life.

“One person that inspires me is my pastor, Louis Murphy, Sr. He is so connected to the community, and so passionate about families and the less fortunate,” said Michelle.

As she helps students gain better jobs through education, she believes that they, in turn, will raise up their families and their communities.

“SPC is a part of the community. I’m very proud to be at SPC and to be a Titan.”