Faculty and Staff

• RenEarl Bowie, Adjunct Professor

  [email protected]

  (512) 223.1790 x26024

  RenEarl Bowie is the Chief in charge of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Training Operations Division.

  During RenEarl’s 26-year career, he has distinguished himself as a leader with DPS. After beginning his career in 1994 as a State Trooper assigned to the Texas Highway Patrol, he later promoted to the Criminal Intelligence Service as a Sergeant, and later to Lieutenant. In 2004, RenEarl transferred to the Administration Division to supervise the Recruiting Bureau. In 2005, he transferred to the Private Security Bureau Investigations Section to oversee enforcement activities, advancing to Captain in 2008. In 2009, Bowie was promoted to Chief of Regulatory Services. In January of 2019 Bowie transferred to Chief of Human Resource Operations. In June of 2019 Bowie transferred to the Training Operations Division.

  He graduated from Texas State University with his bachelor’s degree in 1993 and his master’s degree in 1999, both in criminal justice. He has served as an adjunct professor of criminal justice for Austin Community College, Concordia University – Austin and Northwestern University Center for Public Safety – Evanston.

• Bruce Harlan, Adjunct Professor

  [email protected]

  Bruce Harlan is a former U.S. Marine and native Austinite. His Law Enforcement career spans almost 40 years. In that time, he has held numerous line and supervisory positions from Patrol to CID, SWAT, and Narcotics. As a manager, he was an Agency TCOLE Training Coordinator, and has 30 years of Law Enforcement training experience. Bruce served on the TCOLE select committee for the most recent re-write of the Basic Peace Officer Course and holds a TCOLE Advanced Instructor certification, as well as certifications as a TCOLE Firearms Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, and Fitness Instructor.

  Bruce’s training philosophy is centered around reality/scenario-based learning. Given he is still active in the profession, Bruce incorporates the latest trends into his classroom instruction.

  Bruce holds an AAS in Criminal Justice from Austin Community College and is closing in on his BAAS in Criminal Justice at Texas State University.

• Gerald “G.W.” Hildebrand, Professor

  [email protected]

  (512) 223-2082

  Inspector Gerald W. (“GW”) Hildebrand always knew what he wanted in a job: action, variety, and the opportunity to contribute to society through service. His 30-year career in law enforcement proved to be even more exciting and satisfying than he had hoped it would be.

  After joining the Texas Department of Public Safety in 1977, he progressed from highway patrol officer to sergeant before being appointed to the Texas Rangers in 1987. He served as a Texas Ranger for 17 years and was placed in charge of the elite governor’s protective detail from 1991 to 1995, serving as head of security for Governor Ann Richards. He retired in 2004 with the rank of Captain/Inspector and still carries his Special Texas Ranger commission.

  Inspector Hildebrand is an FBI-certified criminal profiler and a full fellow with the International Criminal Investigative Analysis Fellowship (ICIAF).  He was the Texas Ranger profiler for seven years and has investigated, consulted on, and reviewed over 2500 violent crimes throughout his career.

  Lifelong learning has been an integral part of his success. After attending Texarkana Community College, Inspector Hildebrand went on to earn a BS in Criminal Justice from Lamar University and an MS in Criminal Justice from Southwest Texas State University. He graduated from the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia in 1992 and received his FBI & ICIAF Criminal Investigative Profiling certification in 2000. He has completed over 60 specialized training courses in advanced topics in law enforcement and criminal investigation.

  Inspector Hildebrand began teaching at ACC in 1989. In the classroom, he shares his own experiences to illustrate academic points and help students understand the real-life applications of policing theory.

• Laura Howard, Adjunct Professor

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  At the very early age of 15, Laura got her first taste of what it’s like to work within the criminal justice field while working for a small county District Attorney’s Office. She held this position through her undergraduate years at Texas State University – formerly known as Southwest Texas State at the time – while obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Laura was able to get hands-on experience in various aspects of the criminal justice system; working with local law enforcement, victim services, and the court system.

  She obtained a job with a local county probation department and gleaned insight into defendants, working to help them learn skills that support law-abiding behavior. On the first day of this employment, Laura contacted the United States Probation Office and asked what it would take to become a federal probation officer. The answer: Get three years’ experience and your Master’s Degree. Once this was done, she was hired as a federal probation officer in Austin, Texas, where she has been for over 20 years.

  Through this job, Laura has trained numerous times at the Federal Law Enforcement Center in both South Carolina and Georgia. She is a national trainer for the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, and the Federal Judicial Center and is a local training specialist, where she has served as a defensive tactics instructor, firearms instructor, and search team member. She has broadened her scope of working with all facets of the criminal justice system since her time as a young teenager working for a district attorney and continues to learn and teach.

  Her passion for teaching led to her current position as an adjunct instructor, where she sees herself in the students and recalls Dr. Smith, her Intro to Criminal Justice professor at TSU, who instilled her interest and passion in the criminal justice system. She hopes to do the same for her students.

  In her downtime, Laura works as an EMT-B, fosters military working dog puppies for the Lackland Joint Base San Antonio breeding program, shoots competitively and spends time in the gym and the mountains.

• Delta Jolly, Adjunct Professor

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  Delta Jolly moved to Texas in 1992 and after seeing a Department of Public Safety State Trooper, she knew she wanted to become a police officer. She previously had positive experiences with her D.A.R.E. officer in elementary school, however, the confidence that the trooper exuded laid the foundation for her career.

  Delta is currently employed at Georgetown Police Department as a Community Engagement Officer in charge of community-based programs and initiatives. Serving three and a half years on patrol and building relationships with business owners, Delta was transferred to in order to facilitate community-officer relations. As a police officer Delta is widely known in the community and within the Georgetown Independent School District. She volunteers in literacy programs, science fairs and other school events. She is often been known to dance in the Georgetown HS cheerleader routines during pep rallies. Delta is involved in the Georgetown Chamber and Rotary Clubs. In addition to the years of experience as a police officer, Delta brings over 10 years of dispatching experience from Brazos County, Bexar County, and the City of Georgetown.

  Delta spends one evening a week and some weekends working as a Police Explorer Advisor. Because of the foundation laid by officers before her, Delta has transitioned into Lead Advisor and continues to foster the growth and learning within the post. Delta is known to break barriers and build bridges wherever she goes in her community.

  In the fall of 2018, Delta became an Adjunct Professor at Austin Community College to help educate students wanting to learn more about law enforcement, but also to learn how to effectively communicate to learners of all ages.

  Most recently Delta became a children’s author and is using her experiences to help foster and build relationships not only in her community, but across the nation.

  Her certifications and licenses from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) include Master Peace Officer, Instructor, and Advanced Telecommunicator.

  Delta has a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Development from Texas A&M University and a Master of Science in Administration in Justice and Security from University of Phoenix.

• Dexter Jones, Adjunct Professor

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  Dexter K Jones, an Adjunct Professor in the Criminal Justice Department with 10 years of academic teaching experience. He has taught the following courses at during his tenure at Austin Community College: Ethics in Criminal Justice; Introduction to Corrections:Probation & Parole; and has been an assistant instructor for the police officer skills course. Professor Jones instructs his students to utilize critical thinking to solve criminal justice issues during coursework.

  Additionally he is a proven leader with 26 years of state government experience and has a record of results based exemplary performance in leading change and managing program. He is currently the Chief of Auditing and Investigations Division at the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. He has held executive positions overseeing the special investigations unit (SIU), financial crimes unit (FCU), auditing unit and marketing practices investigative unit. The SIU and FCU overall mission under his guidance was to conduct covert and overt operations to suppress, disrupt and dismantle organized criminal activity with a nexus to the Alcoholic Beverage Industry, while maintaining the veracity of the state’s interest in taxation and financial integrity of alcohol beverage business entities.

  Professor Jones is an honorable United States Veteran and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1988 – 1992 during the Persian Gulf War Era. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from the University of North Texas and an Associate of Applied Science Degree with Honors in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement from Austin Community College. He is a 2005 graduate of the Governor’s Executive Development Program at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin. He is a 2012 graduate of Class 69 of the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Leadership Course at the FBI Academy, in Quantico, VA and also a 2015 graduate of the 261st Session of the FBI National Academy. Professor Jones holds certifications as a Master Certified Peace Officer through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and a Certified Fraud Examiner through the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. He has served as a board or executive member of the following Task Forces: Executive Board of the Austin Regional FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force; 2nd Chair of the Texas Violent Gang Task Force; the Governor’s Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force and the Mayor’s Houston Area Council on Human Trafficking.

  In his spare time he is certified as a national official with the United States Association of Track & Field and an active board member with the University of Texas Track & Field Officials Association.

• Jerry Kovar, Adjunct Professor

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  Jerry Kovar’s strong sense of duty to his community and his country has been a constant throughout his life. After two tours of active duty in the Marine Corps, Jerry joined the Travis County Sheriff’s office as a Corrections Officer in 1991, where he was promoted through the ranks to his current position of Lieutenant.

  His duties have included serving as Commander of the Corrections Tactical Team (jail SWAT), Deputy Director of the Sheriff’s Training Academy and Commander of the central booking and downtown jail facilities.
  Jerry is a Certified Jail Manager (AJA), a Certified Corrections Executive (ACA) and a recipient of the FBI LEEDA Trilogy Award. He holds TCOLE licenses as a Master Peace Officer, Master Jailer, Instructor and Firearms Instructor and has also been a Senior Master Instructor for TASER International. After 20 years of faithful service to our country, First Sergeant Kovar retired from the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

  Drawn to teaching by a desire to have a positive influence on future criminal justice professionals, Jerry shares with his students his passion for lifelong learning. He earned his AAS in Criminal Justice from ACC in 2004 and went on to earn his BAAS and MSCJ degrees within the next four years, while continuing to work full-time. In 2009, he attended the 237th Session of the FBI National Academy, and he continues to pursue leadership education in corrections and law enforcement. Jerry is a co-creator of the Sheriff’s Institute for Ethical Leadership Development Program and currently serves as a leadership instructor.

  He enjoys learning from his students, who keep him connected to the changing values and attitudes of the next generation. In his free time, Jerry enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his family.

• Bridget Lott, Adjunct Professor

  [email protected]

  (512) 223-2184

  Bridget has dedicated her life to serving others as a law enforcement professional, college educator, and community volunteer. Not wanting be tied down to an office job, she was drawn to law enforcement by the excitement of the field and the ability to make a real difference in people’s lives.

  In her 30 years as a member of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Bridget rode motorcycles, rappelled from a helicopter, responded to civil disturbances and riots, and assisted with protection of the US President. She worked in offices throughout the state in field and administrative assignments, earning promotions through all ranks from officer to Chief.

  In addition to holding a master’s degree in Justice Studies, Bridget is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the California Leadership Institute.

  Helping others succeed is her passion. She has been instructing law enforcement personnel for more than 20 years, teaching various courses to all ranks and classifications and helping hundreds of CHP personnel succeed on their promotional exams. In December 2013, Bridget retired from CHP in order to focus her attention on teaching. She has been teaching in ACC’s Criminal Justice department since 2014.

  Bridget comes from a loving Catholic family with 8 brothers and sisters and awesome parents. She has a partner of 20 years. When not spending free time with family or volunteering with community groups, she enjoys running, hiking, gardening, and reading.

• Michael Martinez, Adjunct Professor

  [email protected]

  (512) 223.1790 x25913

  Mike is a retired Austin Police officer with over 29 years of service. Having worked 16 years on patrol, Mike has the training and real-world experience to help students gain the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a career in law enforcement. His 13 years on the Austin Police Department SWAT team gave him extensive knowledge of law enforcement weapon systems, tactics, threat assessment, and raid planning.

  Mike also has experience as an armorer and firearms instructor and years of international experience with the private sector, training individuals in the nuances of personal protection, dignitary protection, martial arts, tactical driving, and firearms.

  Mike holds certificates in firearms instruction, chemical munitions systems, electronic devices, distraction devices, combat medic, rappel master, and hostage rescue. Mike has assisted in the development and instruction of basic SWAT schools, active shooter training, and patrol rifle school and has a practical understanding of the critical elements needed for small teams to work together successfully.

  As an adjunct faculty member for the past 14 years with the Criminal Justice department, Mike is dedicated to the success of our students. Besides teaching classes, Mike is a member of the ACC Public Safety Training Center management development team responsible for developing procedures and safety protocols for the firing range, force on force warehouse, EVOC and defensive tactics.

  Mike holds a Bachelor of Liberal Studies in Criminal Justice from St. Edward’s University and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Texas State University.

• William McCauley, Adjunct Professor

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  Bill McCauley started his public safety career at Bergstrom AFB as a USAF Security Policeman. In that role Bill served in Police and Security roles, certified as a Desk Sergeant, and served on the Tactical Neutralization Team. After leaving the USAF he joined the Texas Army National Guard as a Field Medic, eventually serving as the Battalion Training Sergeant for his unit. During this time he also worked as a Paramedic and attended Southwest Texas State University, majoring in Biochemistry and Physiology. Bill started his civilian law enforcement career with the City of Georgetown. After his time with the city he joined the Austin Community College as a founding member of the Austin Community College District Police Department. Bill retired from ACCDPD after 28 years and went to work for Travis County as Security Training Coordinator, providing safety training for county employees and elected officials. During the county’s COVID-19 response Bill served as Deputy Planning Section Chief.

  During his time with ACCDPD Bill achieved the rank of Lieutenant, ending his career as Administrative Lieutenant. During his tenure he led the Department’s efforts in gaining Recognized Status through the Texas Police Chiefs’ Association, rewrote the Department’s General Orders, and led the Training, Communications, Logistics, and Records functions. Additionally, he was tasked with conducting internal investigations. Over the course of his career he served as Interim Chief on four occasions.

  Bill is a Licensed Texas Peace Officer and holds a Master Peace Officer Certificate. Bill also holds certification as a Firearms Instructor, Law Enforcement Instructor, OC Instructor, Law Enforcement Response to Weapons of Mass Destruction (Awareness and Performance Level), Incident Response to Terrorist Bombing Instructor, Prevention and Response to Suicide Bombing Instructor, National Standardized Weapons of Mass Destruction Instructor, Radiological and Nuclear Response Instructor, and Incident Command Instructor. He holds a Master Continuity Practitioner certification from FEMA and Certified Protection Professional, Professional Certified Investigator, and Physical Security Professional certifications from ASIS and has completed the FBI LEEDA Triad. Bill holds an AAS in Criminal Justice from the Community College of the Air Force, a BBA with a Legal Emphasis from Strayer University, and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice/Sociology from Texas A&M University.

  He has been an Adjunct Professor with ACC since Fall 2012 and also served as the Lead Faculty/Area Chair for Criminal Justice with the University of Phoenix Austin Campus in 2011-2012. Bill also taught online for the University of Phoenix, facilitating classes in Organizational Behavior and Management.

• Joseph Stan, Adjunct Professor

  [email protected]

  (512) 223.1790 x25860

  Joe Stan has never been one to stand on the sidelines. He’s been a semi-pro football player, a rodeo bull rider, an assistant hockey coach with the Austin Ice Bats, and is a martial arts practitioner with a third-degree Black belt.

  His drive to stay engaged fueled his 18-years of progressive service with the Travis County Sheriff’s office law enforcement division. Before retiring in 2000 with the rank of Lieutenant, he served as a patrol officer, field training officer, academy instructor, and SWAT sniper and entry team member. He was the first full-time SWAT Sergeant with the sheriff’s department and was part of an initial response team at the Branch Davidian compound raid in Waco.

  Joe started the Travis County Sheriff’s office initial gang unit and developed or introduced many of the programs he taught at the sheriff’s department, including Defensive Tactics, police nunchaku certification, and Health and Wellness unit services.

  His certifications include FBI Firearms Instructor, TCOLE Instructor, US Navy Instructor, SWAT Instructor, Sniper Certification and Instructor, International Non-Lethal Weapons Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, and Hecklor and Koch Sub Machine Gun Instructor. He served for eight years with the US Naval Reserve and holds a Master-at-Arms rating.

  Joe has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Health and Physical Education with a Criminal Justice Minor. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, where he studied psychological profiling.

  In addition to teaching at ACC since 2004, Joe is a real estate agent and broker with his own company and is the owner of Muscle Cars of Austin. Joe spends his free time with his wife of 14 years and their 2-year-old daughter, Dylan.

• Frederick “Dale” Toler, Department Chair/Professor

  [email protected]

  (512) 223-0063

  Dale Toler was an engineering major in college until circumstances in his life opened a door into law enforcement. He considered this a temporary move at the time, but looking back at his 25 years with the Austin Police department, he believes no other job could have been more progressive, rewarding or challenging.

  Dale spent nine years as SWAT Team Leader and four years as a Bomb Technician, continually expanding his knowledge to develop new tactics to advance the profession. His background provides students with insight into the more advanced technical aspects of law enforcement.

  Dale sees the collaboration of ideas and achievements as central to both law enforcement and teaching. He shares his natural inclination to improve and learn with his students, encouraging them to gain the knowledge and confidence they need to trust themselves and succeed.

  Dale holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from St. Edward’s University, and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Texas State University.

  Dale’s family has been involved in Texas law enforcement since the 1930’s. His father, Fred Toler, was the second Executive Director of TCLEOSE (now TCOLE) from 1972 – 1994; Dale is proud to have his father’s signature on his Basic Peace Officer Certificate.

• Julie Vieyra, Professor

  [email protected]

  (512) 223-5182

  Julie Vieyra joined the Criminal Justice Department in the Spring of 2005 after completing her master’s in Criminal Justice from Southwest Texas State University. She also holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Southwest Texas State University. For two years prior to joining ACC, Julie taught at her alma mater Texas State University in the department of Criminal Justice where she specialized in teaching Juvenile Justice.

  Julie Vieyra is native of San Marcos, Texas. She always liked the feel of a small town which led her to work in New Braunfels, Texas at an At-Risk Youth Organization. While working here, she enjoyed helping the youth remove roadblocks in their lives to achieve a successful life. She found this job extremely rewarding since she experienced the ability to influenced youth’s rehabilitation process.

  This led her to join the Caldwell County Adult probation department. With that office, she was a community supervision officer for several years. She intensively handled a mix caseload of felony and misdemeanor cases. She always believed in focusing on the offender, not the offense, to prevent future crimes.

  Before becoming a part of the faculty at ACC, Ms. Vieyra was hired on at the State Office of Risk Management. She received the title of Worker’s Compensation Investigator. She enthusiastically led several intense investigations that convicted individuals and doctors in defrauding the State of Texas. Through her unit, they were able to recover the monetary loss back to the State of Texas.

• Felecia Williams-Dennis, Adjunct Professor

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  Felecia Williams-Dennis enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin to study engineering. Her education was temporarily interrupted in 1988 to fulfill her life-long dream to be a police officer. Felecia served 26 years in the Austin Police Department (APD), retiring in April 2014. She grew up in a socioeconomically challenged neighborhood with fragile police relations. A positive elementary school encounter with a police officer revealed her path as a servant and community change agent.

  During her service to the APD, she transferred and was promoted to a variety of units, starting with the 6-month police training academy. In the Academy, Felecia’s engineering background proved beneficial leading to a specialized soft skill patrol recommendation. Her career included eight and a half years as a Patrol/Senior Police Officer working in every patrol sector in the City as well as specialized units. Throughout the criminal justice community Felecia is known for her communication skills, work ethic and a passion for equitably applying the law within policing rules and procedures.

  In April 1997, Felecia was promoted to Detective, where she was assigned to the following units: Auto Theft, Auto Theft Interdiction Project (ATIP), Internal Affairs – Major Investigations, and the Police Academy – Cadet Training. At the Academy, she was the co-coordinator facilitator, which included all aspects of cadet training. In May 2007, she was promoted to Sergeant to greater affect positive changes within the community and the Department.

  Felecia’s supervisory assignments all involved developing police-community relations. Her first assignment was with the South Central District Representative’s (SCDR). She returned to the Police Training Academy – Continuing Education Unit (CEU), where she assisted with the development, implementation and facilitation of APD’s Leadership Command College (LCC) along with other courses. Felecia transferred to the ATIP as Sergeant and Project Manager/Director, until she retired in April 2014.

  Since 2004 Felecia has contributed to law enforcement education by serving as an Adjunct Professor in the Criminal Justice program at Austin Community College. She uses her vast law enforcement background to create shared experiences, personal connotation, and a mutual learning environment. Felecia is a lifelong learner. She has great expectations and challenges her students to meet or exceed them in the classroom. She brings all her experiences to the table and facilitates an environment for blending shared knowledge/experience. Her straight, poised, approach allows for engaged learning that has become sought after in the criminal justice arena. She has never ended a semester without learning or experiencing something new from others. She is committed to student engagement and success. Over the years various organizations have recognized her contributions with numerous awards, certificates and commendations. Felecia continues to be an active servant in law enforcement arenas, her church, service organizations, and the community.

  Her certifications and licenses from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) include Master Peace Officer, Instructor, Crime Prevention Inspector and Academic Recognition Award.

  Felecia has earned an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice from Austin Community College, a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from St. Edward’s University, and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Management from Sam Houston State University. She is also a recipient of the FBI-LEEDA (Law Enforcement Executive Development Association) Trilogy Award.

• Meson Woo, Adjunct Professor

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  After graduating from the University of Texas-Austin in the early 2000’s, Meson Woo found himself driving up the IH-35 corridor reflecting on where the next chapter in his life would lead. Meson Woo has always believed that opportunity is the mother of invention, and that fateful summer day, he found himself with the opportunity of a lifetime in a bright yellow “Now Hiring” sign. The sign was sitting inside a white Ford Crown Victoria police cruiser parked along the highway. It was clear that it was Meson’s time to answer the call to public service and invent a new career pathway in which he would dedicate himself to the study of Criminal Justice.

  Throughout his career with the Austin Police Department, Meson Woo has developed skills which helped shape and define what it really means to be a professional in public service. Now in his fourteenth year with the Austin Police Department, Meson’s early role in patrol services gifted him with insight into interpersonal communication, sound decision making in dynamic situations, and an appreciation of the human condition.

  An important aspect of developing a municipal police department is investing in new recruits and future generations of law enforcement professionals who impact the community in which they serve. With five years of experience teaching and training at the police academy, Meson Woo had the opportunity to influence the future leaders of the department in which he serves.

  Meson Woo’s career in law enforcement has afforded him the opportunity to intersect a passion for higher education with modern day police practices.