National Police Week Staff and Faculty Spotlight on Sandra Lee and Larry Hansen
Q. What excites you about being a part of higher education?
A. Larry – Tom Bodett said, “In school you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.” As a life time learner I love the opportunities to interact with students who can share some of their lessons learned in life. In the university classroom most of the students want to be there and are anxious to learn and I thoroughly enjoy that environment. I learn as much from my students as they, hopefully, learn from me. It is the give and take process that enables all of us to expand our level of knowledge. I have learned that each class has its own personality. I try to champion what is truly valuable and important for my students.
Sandra – My passion is working with Public Safety (law enforcement officers and firefighters) and seeing them reach their education goals. As a mother of a police officer, my recruits’ accomplishments mean as much to me as my own children’s successes!
Q. What excites you about being a part of higher education?
A. Larry – I teach, or have taught, at six different colleges and universities. I have taught classes in police academies and classes for Peace Officers Standards and Training. I teach in both the criminal justice and emergency services programs and I enjoy interacting with students who have a heart for public service. Thirty years in law enforcement has given me the opportunity to see firsthand how dedicated the men and women are that strives to serve their communities. I jumped at the opportunity to work with street cops and fire fighters and I love to share their experiences and knowledge. The collaboration format allows great opportunities to learn from each other.
Sandra – I was attracted to furthering my own education because learning is important to me. In 2004, I started in 2004 as a secretary at the Sacramento Academic Center, moving up to enrollments; achieved my B.A. and later my M.A. both from UI&U. I also enjoyed teaching for a short duration.
Q. If you could have any job in the whole world, what would it be?
A. Larry – I teach a class in critical thinking and this is one of the questions I ask my students. When I was 18 years old I made one of the three most important decisions I have made in my life time, when I enlisted in the Navy. I am very patriotic, I love my country. If I could have any job in the world I would be a fighter pilot in the United States Navy stationed on an aircraft carrier. I had an opportunity to briefly serve on an aircraft carrier and marveled at the men and women who fly those planes. I have absolutely no regrets about my career in law enforcement and would do it again without hesitation. But if I could live life again and have any job in the world, it would be a Navy fighter pilot.
Sandra – If I was young and spry, I would do something in the CJ field (my education background is Criminal Psychology).
Q. What surprises people about you?
A. Larry – People are often surprised to learn how much I love to cook. I look up recipes on the internet, and I enjoy perusing cook books. Sometimes I follow the recipe to the letter and sometimes I improvise. Two of my favorite recipes are crab stuffed mushrooms covered in white cheddar cheese and baked in garlic butter. Also, I like to make garlic infused prime rib coated with olive oil and rock sea salt and then slow roasted. I make a great gazpacho soup with baby shrimp and small chunks of avocado. I enjoy preparing entire meals from appetizers to dessert. Sometimes I will take two or three days to research recipes, shop for the ingredients, and prepare the meal. My favorite dessert is made from scratch brownies with Ghirardelli chocolate served warm with homemade French vanilla ice cream.
Sandra – People may be surprised to know I have an excellent memory that serves me well. Recently I ran into a FBI investigator and he was amazed that I remembered him, after meeting him only once before!.
Q. What is your favorite book, and why?
A. Larry – I love almost anything written by John Grisham. I have read at least twenty-four of his books but my favorite was a novel he wrote in 2010, “The Confession”. I read the book quickly and could not put it down. The great thing about this book is it really helped me analyze how I feel about the death penalty. Although the work is fictional, it is based on real life cases. In typical Grisham fashion it was a page turner that kept me on the edge until the last page.
Sandra – My favorite books center on my graduate studies in criminal psychology. The book that I reflect on most is “The Dark Side of Human Behavior” written by a forensic psychiatrist. Not very joyful, but very enlightening!
[vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/2″]
Larry Hansen
[/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/2″]
Sandra Lee
[/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner]