Degrees

Bachelor of Criminal Justice (BCJ), Loyola University New Orleans, 1996

Short Bio

David M. Aplin joined the Department of Criminal Justice in August 2000 at the beginning of the 2000-2001 academic year. He received his Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Loyola University New Orleans May 19, 1996, graduating magna cum laude. He devoted most of his undergraduate research to the study of youth gangs.  Prior to becoming a student at Loyola University New Orleans, David retired from the U.S. Air Force on August 1st, 1993 after 20 years of service to his country.  While in the Air Force, David served as a Security Policeman and was stationed in the Republic of South Viet Nam from June 1971 until May 1972.  He completed his first “hitch in the service” at Langley Air Force Base (AFB), Hampton, Virginia, on April 1, 1974.   After a brief tour of duty as a civilian, David re-entered the Air Force in 1977 and for the next eight years served as an Air Traffic Controller in the control towers at Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas, at Howard AFB, Republic of Panama, and finally, back to Dyess AFB.  Prior to leaving Dyess AFB, he was assigned the duties of the Squadron Training Manager from 1985 until 1986. His last duty assignment (1986 – 1993) was at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Base, Colorado, where he helped provide communications-computer systems management support for components of NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), United States Space Command, and Air Force Space Command until he retired. 

As the Executive Assistant to the Department Chairman, David serves as the contact person between other university agencies and departments and the Department of Criminal Justice for the Dr. William E. Thornton, Jr., the chairman of the department.  David’s responsibilities include managerial and administrative assistance to Dr. William Thornton, departmental management, intra-university communication, and provision of research support for faculty members including assistance in faculty and professional organizational activities and community service.  Primarily, he initiates, plans, executes and evaluates programs for the recruitment of graduate students for the Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ) program by receiving, assembling, tracking, and evaluating applications and credentials for admission into the MCJ program by potential candidates.  David also works daily with the undergraduate Criminal Justice students, seeking to satisfactorily remedy any problems they may encounter.  Additionally, David provides support to the department’s adjunct/part-time faculty. He also provides computer hardware and software technical assistance to the faculty and students in the Criminal Justice Programs.