Question & Answer with Dr. Dave Greydanus, Chair of the Criminal Justice program
“I really love my Grace students because they see purpose in what they’re doing.”
Dr. Dave Greydanus, Chair of the Criminal Justice program at Grace Christian University, teaches a wide variety of criminal justice students around the state of Michigan. Dr. Greydanus’ 30-year career with the Michigan State Police took him to Detroit, Paw Paw, Manistee, Wayland, and South Haven. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and the University of Toledo School of Law, and has been teaching law and criminal justice students since 1993. He especially enjoys teaching at Grace because it allows him to show students how their faith informs and integrates with their work.
Q: What difference does a Christian’s faith make working in the criminal justice field?
A: You’ve got a basis here of no matter what happens, you see the individuals created in the image of God. They have to be respected, treated professionally. But also that you see a purpose in what you’re doing to help them but also to help the victims.
Q: What advice do you have for students to keep from getting burned out in the field?
A: Find a church. Get your kids involved with the church. You have to have that community… Because you’re going to see a lot of bad things… You can always fall back on your faith to show why you’re here, and why you’re doing what you’re doing.
Q: What sets Grace Christian University graduates apart in the criminal justice field?
A: The humility they bring from the Christian perspective—that really impacts them, realizing it’s not them doing things, it’s God working through them that’s helping them have that impact. And I think so many employers are really seeing that humility, but also the hard work.
Read more stories like this in The Journey Magazine | Spring 2024 >
