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������Ƶ faculty member John Hullar didn’t start out in academia. He began his career as a police officer in East L.A. After working in several departments (including missing persons and homicide), he joined the U.S. Department of Justice as a special agent investigating crimes against the government and organized crime. While his resumé may read like “true crime,” his approach to teaching is decidedly more heartfelt. After a pivotal and prophetic moment with a professor in graduate school, Hullar committed to helping other lifelong learners. In this Q&A, he shares how his work at ������Ƶ continues a legacy of engagement and purpose.

A: Serving in law enforcement, first as a police officer and detective in East Los Angeles, and later as a special agent with the Department of Justice. Those years were deeply meaningful to me because they allowed me to protect communities, mentor younger officers and special agents, and conduct investigations that made a real difference in people’s lives. The lessons I learned about integrity, leadership and service continue to guide everything I do today.

That said, teaching has been a rewarding journey. When I was in graduate school, I was struggling with some concepts, so I made an appointment to see my professor. He spent over two hours with me when the light finally turned on. I thanked him several times and he told me to not thank him but pay it forward. I asked him what that meant and he said students will come to me for help so do what I can to help them. I told him I had no aspirations to be a teacher or instructor. He laughed and said, “You will.”

Two years later, I was asked to teach at the police academy, and a year after that I started teaching at ������Ƶ. I am all about paying it forward!   

A: Some of the most meaningful moments in my teaching career have been when students share that my class renewed their confidence after struggling to balance work, family and school. One student in particular, through regular feedback and encouragement, was able to complete the course with one of the highest grades and later pursued a career in criminal justice.

Seeing a student recognize their own potential and move closer to their goals reminds me why teaching is such a rewarding extension of my law enforcement experience.�� 

A: I draw heavily on my law enforcement experience to bring real-world context into the classroom. I use actual case scenarios, ethical dilemmas and examples from policing and public administration and various investigations to help students apply theory to practice.

By connecting academic concepts to real situations, I encourage critical thinking and show students how what they learn can directly impact their future careers in criminal justice, public administration and public service just as it did for me.��

A: One aspect of online higher education that often surprises adult learners is how well it fits into a busy, real-world schedule without sacrificing meaningful connections. Many assume that online learning is a solitary experience, but in truth, it’s designed to be highly interactive. From structured discussions, videos and peer feedback to group projects and responsive faculty, adult learners often find themselves part of a supportive learning community.

What’s more, they can apply what they’re learning in real time, bringing their workplace, life experience and coursework together in a way that enhances both. The flexibility is real, but so is the engagement.

I remind students that balance comes from structured self-care and time management. I encourage them to create a weekly study schedule, communicate early with instructors and take advantage of University resources like tutoring, writing labs and time management tools. I also emphasize giving themselves grace as progress matters more than perfection. Many of my students are working parents, so I always remind them that perseverance, not pace, defines success.

My goal is to help each student build confidence and apply what they learn to real-world situations.

A: Be writing a book based on my experiences with the positive things (and some negative things) regarding criminal justice and public administration.

John Hullar began his career in criminal justice as a police officer and detective in East Los Angeles, where he worked various beats, including missing persons, juvenile crimes and major crimes, such as sex crimes and homicide. He joined the U.S. Department of Justice in 2004 as a special agent working surveillance operations and investigating organized crime and crimes against the government. After retiring from law enforcement, he opened a private investigation and personal protection firm, Star Detectives and Security.

Hullar earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from University of La Verne and a Master of Public Administration from California State University, San Bernardino. He is currently a senior associate faculty member with ������Ƶ, where he teaches criminal justice and public administration courses.

Read more ������Ƶ faculty profiles and learn about UOPX real-world faculty.��