Julia M. Mack

Being an Erie-ite, I am proud to be part of the Knight family.  When I was a kid, I regularly attended Gannon basketball games and was in awe of the spirited atmosphere, a feeling that still holds true today.  I graduated from Villa Maria Academy in 2003, left Erie for 9 years to pursue my post-secondary education and came back in 2012 to teach here at Gannon University, my dad’s alma mater.  I received my undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice/Sociology from Saint Francis University (Loretto, PA) and earned by MA & PhD in Sociology (Criminology concentration with a minor in Family Studies) from Bowling Green State University of Ohio.

As I tell my students, I have little real world expertise outside of academia - my expertise is navigating the college experience.  After my first year here, I became the director of Criminal Justice, a role I still hold today.  As I moved throughout my Gannon career, I became Assistant Dean then Associate Dean of Curriclum and Student Affairs for the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (CHESS). As program director and associate dean, I have been able to live my motto - 'Be the person you needed when you were younger.'  My primary roles include advising students, developing curriculum, revising/developing academic policies and brainstorming new ideas to support the development of future professionals.  There isn't a day that goes by that I don't interact with students and frankly, I would be lost without them.  Aside from my life at Gannon, I am also a mom who (sometimes) brings their kids to work.  This allows my children to see what I do, but more importantly, gives my students an opportunity to put a face to the stories I tell in class! In the summer you can find me on the softball field in one of my slow-pitch softball leagues where I get to catch up with our alumni.