WARWICK, R.I. -- When the Class of 2026 enters the Amica Mutual Pavilion on Tuesday, May 12, Criminal Justice Professor Mark England will lead the way as this year’s Commencement Grand Marshal.

It’s a fitting honor for a professor who’s dedicated over 20 years to CCRI’s students, bringing decades of real-world expertise to the classroom following a 20-year career as an investigator and Captain with the Cumberland Police Department.

England views the Grand Marshal role primarily as a tribute to students and the daily perseverance they show juggling families, jobs, and coursework. He’s been the driving force behind events like the highly successful Criminal Justice Day, and he takes equal pride in the connection he builds in the classroom. For him, leading the procession just makes his favorite part of commencement -- shaking his students' hands as they exit the stage -- that much better.

In this edition of Thinkers, Doers & Achievers, Knight Knowledge spoke with Professor England to learn more about his career and his thoughts on being named Commencement Grand Marshal.

Knight Knowledge: First, tell us a little about your professional background and what brought you to CCRI?

England: I was a police officer in Cumberland for 20 years and did well as an investigator/detective and found myself looking to teach once I got my master's degree. I applied to CCRI and, eventually, received a call to teach the criminalistics classes. And I can safely say my first two years were challenging to say the least!

I worked it at and taught for about 10 years as an adjunct before retiring as a Captain in 2012. A full-time faculty position was opening up, and I left the police force on a Friday with a tear in my eye and started here on a Tuesday in September. Being an adjunct wasn’t easy, and I can remember leaving third shift to teach Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7:00 a.m. in Warwick.  A police officer works many hours and with a young family, it was tough, but I loved the work and the challenge. Here I still am today.

Knight Knowledge: You just completed another Criminal Justice Day. How important is that day to you, and what stood out about this year’s event?

England: I believe we started Criminal Justice Day in 2016, in the Lower Commons, and have watched it progress from there to an auditorium, to the Bobby Hackett Theater, to now the Great Hall. It really has become a pretty big event. I love the fact that it brings students, both high school and college, together with professionals in the field. Law enforcement, campus police, corrections, victim advocates, laboratory experts, attorneys, and all who represent the many and varied facets of the criminal justice system are there to help students.

This year was special, as two of our speakers graduated from CCRI, and all the speakers had an amazing story to tell and unique perspectives to share that their educational and career paths helped create. The speakers and those from the various agencies all donated their time and expertise to help students. And that’s in the DNA of those who work in these fields. True public servants. This year, I think the speakers and those representing the agencies seemed to be of such high quality that they took it to a higher level.

Knight Knowledge: You recently were named this year’s commencement grand marshal. What does that honor mean to you?

England: I am all about our students. The best part of my job is getting to know them and help them in any way I can. The typical CCRI student is unique in that they juggle family, job(s) school, and life. Many face real life challenges on a daily basis. Our students work hard both in and out of the classroom. They are strong, resilient, and show tremendous perseverance and grit. Our students also know how to enjoy life and each other.

Our classrooms are filled with chatter and there are always laughs. As Grand Marshal, I feel as though I want to represent the students of CCRI as best I can. It’s an honor for me and a tribute to them, really. It makes me take a step back and realize how lucky and grateful I am to be in the classroom and now to watch them cross our finish line, only to begin their next journey. I’m fortunate.

Knight Knowledge: As someone who once went through a commencement as a student, how meaningful is it to come full circle as a grand marshal?

England: I missed my undergrad graduation as I was living in England at the time (three years and eventually married there). I remember my Master’s ceremony as my wife and daughter, Sophie, were there with me. My wife, Kathy, and I had been married for about six years, and Sophie was only three months old at the time. I was one of many, but I remember it being special for me particularly as I had a young and growing family, and I just felt an enormous amount of pride.

Now as Grand Marshall, I will be leading a host of dignitaries, all extremely accomplished in their fields. All walking in unison to honor our students, which is the sole reason we’re all there in the first place. It’s an honor to be in this profession, and this is symbolic of that.

Knight Knowledge: You’ve been involved in many CCRI commencements. What is your favorite part of the day?

England: I’ve been to 14 commencements, as I’ve been here full-time for that long. Most definitely, my favorite part is shaking the hands of the criminal justice students as they exit the stage with diplomas in hand.

Knight Knowledge: What final piece of advice would you impart to the graduates as they prepare to enter the workforce or continue their college careers?

England: Continue to work hard, treat others with kindness and respect, take time to enjoy         the moments as they come, and continually strive to be the best you can be whether that’s in your educational pursuits, your career, or, most importantly, as a person. Realize there will be highs and lows throughout your lives. Stay steady during the highs, but again, enjoy the moments and persevere. Stay strong through the challenges. Enjoy life.