David Terry

B.A., Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
M.A., Ohio University, Athens, Ohio

Straight out of high school Dave joined the United States Marines and honorably served his term of duty as a military police office. He then enrolled at Chabot College in Hayward, California. Dave earned a position on the Chabot football team. With a football scholarship he was able to continue his education at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio and received his B.A. in sociology/criminology and his M.A. in sociology. His experience serving his country provided the skills needed to be hired by the Alameda County Probation Department where he was hired as a juvenile institutional officer. He worked for Alameda County for 20 years. With his educational background and practical experience in the field of Criminal Justice he was able to begin his teaching career in 1993 at his alma mater Chabot College. He also taught at Laney College in Oakland, California and Las Positas College in Livermore, California before being hired full-time at Delta College in 2006 as an instructor of Administration of Justice, History and Social Science.

Courses Taught:

• Administration of Justice 21, Criminal Justice in Society
• Administration of Justice 51, Introduction to Correctional Science
• Administration of Justice 54, Introduction to Probation and Parole
• Administration of Justice 55, Control and Supervision in Correction
• Administration of Justice 57, Legal Aspects/Corrections
• History 30A, African-American History to 1877
• History 30B, African-American History since 1877
• Sociology 1A, Introduction to Sociology

Correctional Science Advisory Board Bio:

Hello, my name is Professor David Terry and I am the Faculty Chairperson for Correctional Science and the Correctional Science Advisory Board.  My experiences in the field of corrections includes a split bachelor’s degree in Sociology/Criminology, a master’s degree in Sociology, retirement from a 20 year career as a juvenile detention officer for Alameda County Probation and service in the U.S. Marine Corps as a military policeman.  I have taught at San Joaquin Delta College since 2005 and started my teaching career at Chabot College in Hayward, Ca in 1993. 

• I decided to enter the field of corrections and make it my career because: I was fortunate to have a family friend named Howard Young who was a Probation Officer for Alameda County Probation.  He took me under his wing and inspired me with his actions and mindset to help others via probation.
• The most unusual job I’ve ever had was: Toss-up between working at a dog kennel and working at a teenage mother program changing diapers.
• I felt it was important to serve on this advisory board: It enables me to connect the college with the community and the community to the college by working as a liaison between industry experts and our students.
• The hardest thing I’ve ever done is: Parenting, nothing else is even close.
• My favorite way to relax is: Vacationing in the Caribbean with my family.
• My favorite meal is: Candied yams, heaven must be like this.
• You’d be surprised to learn that: I like to garden in my backyard and I secretly listen to country music on long road trips. 
• I am most proud of: Having served as a Marine and playing Division One football.
• My motto is: If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.
• Three people living or dead that I would invite for dinner: My grandfather, my dad, and my son.
• One item from my bucket list: See the pyramids of Egypt.  
• If there is one piece of advice I’d like to give to anyone considering corrections as a career: Give an “honest eight” hours of work and take of your body and your mental health.