I have always been passionate about law enforcement and criminal justice. I was a very active police officer who loved my profession. I had to retire from working patrol after being seriously injured in the line of duty. I decided to use my experience, skills and knowledge to help future criminal justice professionals reach their dreams and goals.
Amanda Willows Instructor
- Alum
- Faculty
Growing up in a military family, Amanda Willows has always been passionate about criminal justice and law enforcement. She achieved her goal of becoming a police officer, but had to retire from patrol after being seriously injured in the line of duty. Upon returning to school, she was nervous about being a non-traditional student with disabilities. Nonetheless, she knew she made the right choice as the faculty at East Texas A&M went above and beyond to help her succeed. After witnessing her success, both her sons earned their degrees from East Texas A&M, too.
Returning to East Texas A&M as an instructor is a dream come true for Willows and she is honored to help others reach their goals in the field of criminal justice.
A Conversation with Amanda
What would you tell a student who is thinking about attending East Texas A&M?
East Texas A&M is the perfect place for any student. It has a positive atmosphere that is welcoming to traditional and non-traditional students. East Texas A&M is a rural campus that provides a full university experience. There are so many exciting programs to choose from and the faculty truly care about their students.
What draws you to your discipline?
I have always been passionate about law enforcement and criminal justice. I was a very active police officer who loved my profession. I had to retire from working patrol after being seriously injured in the line of duty. I decided to use my experience, skills and knowledge to help future criminal justice professionals reach their dreams and goals.
What has been your favorite course to teach?
Teaching Officer Wellness to current law enforcement officers is deeply personal and important to me. I know firsthand the sacrifices officers make—the long hours, the stress, the exposure to trauma, and the pressure to always be strong. The demands of the job require officers to be physically and mentally prepared for any situation, yet poor eating habits, lack of sleep and chronic stress often take a toll. Ultimately, I want officers to have long, healthy careers and fulfilling lives beyond the badge. By addressing wellness proactively, we can help reduce burnout, improve decision-making and strengthen the profession as a whole. It's not just about surviving the job—it's about thriving, both on and off duty.
Tell us about a project you are currently working on or recently completed.
I am the president and founder of Lamar County Adopt A Cop, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting our local police officers and first responders. We provide essential safety equipment and training funds when department budgets fall short. To date, we have supplied over 200 Level IV vests, 150 ballistic helmets and various other critical gear to help protect those who serve our community. In addition to providing equipment, we host annual events that bring officers and the community together, fostering trust, unity and stronger relationships.
Educational Background
- M.A., Curriculum and Instruction, Angelo State University, 2019
- M.S., Global Security Studies, Angelo State University, 2017
- M.S., Criminology, Texas A&M University-Commerce(now East Texas A&M University), 2014
- B.A., Sociology, Texas A&M University-Commerce(now East Texas A&M University), 2013
Honors and Awards
- Distinguished Citizen, City of Reno, November 2021
- Proclamation for Officer Safety and Community Leadership, Lamar County Commissioners Court, January 2017
Research Interests
- Female-perpetrated terrorism
- Life-course criminology
- Mass violence
Professional Organizations
- American Society of Criminology