University News
Why Black Youths Join Gangs Panel Discussion Feb. 8 at WIU
February 4, 2011
MACOMB, IL – A panel discussion on the topic "Why Black Youth Join Gangs" is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8 in Stipes Hall 121 on the Western Illinois University campus. School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration Assistant Professor Barry McCrary will lead the discussion, which is open free to the public.
McCrary came to Western Illinois in Fall 2008. His major teaching assignments are in juvenile justice, criminal justice and issues in probation and parole.
He is the founder (2002) and executive director of Maleness 2 Manhood Inc. (M2M Inc.), a nonprofit faith-based mentoring program for inner-city youth, in Pittsburgh (PA), where he worked as probation director (1994-2008) for the Allegheny County Juvenile Court.
McCrary has written four books/workbooks on juvenile offenders and community supervision, which are available on www.LuLu.com. His latest is the second edition of "Love, Care and Repair – Juvenile Justice: Community Intensive Supervisor Workbook" (Jan. 15, 2011).
McCrary began in the juvenile justice field in 1984, serving in a variety of roles throughout some 24 years of work. These include counselor, consultant, therapist and crisis intervention specialist. He also challenged himself to design, implement and monitor a progressive treatment program.
He has also worked as an adjunct professor of sociology at Carlow University in Pittsburgh, teaching courses in criminology, as well as online courses on issues in criminal justice policy for the University of Phoenix.
McCrary earned his Bachelor of Science degree in human resource management from Geneva College (Beaver Falls, PA), a Master of Science in Administration of Justice from Shippensburg University (PA) and a Doctor of Education degree from Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA).
The Feb. 8 panel discussion is part of the "Liaisons" faculty lecture series hosted by the Department of African American Studies (AAS), in celebration of the department's founding at WIU 40 years ago. Speakers from diverse fields and backgrounds share knowledge beneficial to all, regardless of career goal or college major, according to AAS Associate Professor Jo-Ann Morgan.
For more information contact Morgan through the African American studies department at (309) 298-1121.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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