by Callie Chaney, Student Contributor
Professor Arthur Melton is a relatively new face on the campus of Alice Lloyd College. Nevertheless, in only a year, he has made an immeasurable impact on the projection of Alice Lloyd College’s Criminal Justice program.
Arthur “Art” Melton, from Hazard, Kentucky, has practiced the discipline of criminal justice all across the country. As a veteran who served during Operation Desert Storm, he worked as an investigator with the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID). During the eight years on active duty, he was stationed in Texas, Kentucky, and the District of Columbia. Melton also served thirteen years with the Kentucky Army National Guard as part of a Combat Engineer Unit. After his service ended, Melton began working as a Correctional Officer and UNICOR Factory Foreman with duty assignments in federal prisons in Indiana and Kentucky. Now retired, Professor Melton is pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership while serving as Assistant Professor for Alice Lloyd College’s growing Criminal Justice Department.
Although Professor Melton has served on both the investigative and enforcement side of the law, when asked his preference, he showed favoritism towards investigations. “Who doesn’t enjoy solving a good mystery?” he joked. “I have always been a fan of Scooby-Doo and the gang.”
Professor Arthur Melton’s extensive criminal justice background makes him an invaluable asset to Alice Lloyd College’s program. He says that he reflects on his real-life experience and educational career when he teaches his students. The anecdotes he recalls make it easier to translate the knowledge to his students: “I can explain how it works in the real world, not just the textbook example.”
Professor Melton was first introduced to Alice Lloyd College when his oldest son, Brandon, was enrolled at the June Buchanan School and attended ALC for his undergraduate degree. Impressed by the educational quality, Art and his wife, Janessa, enrolled their youngest son Justin at the June Buchanan School. “I have a strong bond with this school and believe in its mission,” he says.
As far as the Criminal Justice program goes, Professor Melton is excited to see the rapid developments as the professors keep up with the dynamic discipline. He believes that leaders and educators of criminal justice must be ready to adapt to the changing environment. The real-life experience he and Professor Hazlewood have will allow them to do so. “I see this program continuing to grow into the premier criminal justice program in the area,” he says, “and setting the standard, as opposed to just falling in line with programs offered by other institutions.”