UAF Department of Justice Contact Information
Faculty
Jeff May
Department Chair, Associate Professor of Justice
Department of Justice
GRUE 502B
Professor May received his Law Degree from the University of Montana. He also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Justice and a Master's Degree in Justice Administration from this University. Originally from Montana, Jeff moved to Alaska in 2000. Jeff has worked as a law clerk in the Fairbanks Superior Court, engaged in some private law practice, and currently serves as a part-time magistrate judge for the Alaska Court System. Jeff teaches classes in the undergraduate and graduate programs and focuses on courses in ethics, criminal law and procedure, rural justice issues, and civil liability in justice administration. Jeff and his family love sports and the many outdoor activities Alaska provides.
Jerry Babcock
Department of Justice
GRUE 501C
Professor Jerry Babcock earned his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology, as well as his Master's Degree in International Relations, from Troy University in Alabama and teaches at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. He has worked in law enforcement at the local, state, and federal levels for over 31 years; and he has a wide diversity of experience including patrol, housing authority policing, narcotics detective, criminal intelligence analyst, task force agent, major crimes detective, and several levels of police administration. Chief Babcock also retired as a Chief Master Sergeant from the Air National Guard in Nov 2021 after serving in both security police and communications career fields at all levels of the military command structure, including national level policy making and protection of the President of the United States. Jerry is a proud father of four children and has two grandchildren. When not spending time with family, he enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, and motorcycling his way through the Alaska summers.
Ingrid Johnson
Associate Professor
GRUE 503B
Raised in Delta Junction and Fairbanks, Dr. Johnson received her B.A. in Justice from UAF in 2010 and completed both an M.A. and Ph.D. in Criminal Justice at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA (2013; 2018). She taught and conducted research as a professor in the University of Alaska Anchorage Justice Center from 2018-2024. In 2024, she returned to Interior Alaska to join the UAF Department of Justice. The focus of much of Dr. Johnson’s research is on help-seeking and justice needs among survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence, and how formal and informal networks can improve those processes. She is also expanding her research into violence prevention and has expertise in the areas of rural-urban differences, substance use and treatment access, and restorative justice. You can access many of her publications via her ORCID profile or on the UA Scholarworks website.
Adjunct Faculty
Melvin Colley
Department of Justice
Adjunct Professor Melvin Colley has a B.A. degree in Justice and M.A. degree in Administration of Justice which he earned from this university. He grew up in California but has lived in Alaska since 2003. He actively works as an Alaska State Troopers (AST) where he is assigned to the Fairbanks post as a patrol sergeant. He has worked for the trooper since 2010. While working for AST he has worked in several geographical locations as a trooper to include Fairbanks, Delta Junction, Aniak, as well as other short-time assigned locations. He has worked the specialty assignment of the Special Emergency Reaction Team (S.E.R.T.). He is also an instructor on several topics for AST and served 7 years of active duty in the military. Melvin enjoys his time with his family and building and fixing things with his hands. Melvin has a passion for learning and teaching.
Tara Lampert
Department of Justice
Adjunct instructor Tara Lampert holds an M.F.A. in Creating Writing from the University of Alaska, Anchorage and a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies from Western Kentucky University. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in American Studies, with an emphasis in popular culture, as well as a minor in both Women’s Studies and Human Relations & Multicultural Education from St. Cloud State University.
Tara also holds a 500-hour Yoga and Mindfulness Meditation certificate and works for the Alaska Center for Mindfulness, teaching Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction courses and contracting for various business and organizations. She alsovolunteers her time teaching yoga for Hiland Mountain Correctional Center.
When Tara isn’t teaching, she actively enjoys exploring Alaska; whether mountain biking, ice climbing, or skiing, you’ll find her outside!
Emeritus Faculty
Mike Daku
Associate Adjunct Professor of Justice, Emeritus
Department of Justice
GRUE 501D
Professor Daku is an Associate Professor of Justice, Emeritus, long time member and former Chair of the Department for 11 years. He also coordinates Internship experiences for Justice students. As a long- time member of the faculty and an alumnus of the department, his teaching and work experience have involved the areas of Juvenile Delinquency, Community Corrections and the treatment of those with substance abuse issues. He maintains certification with the State of Alaska as a Chemical Dependency Counselor and remains committed to the counseling field. He has lived in the Fairbanks area since 1978 and enjoys running, fishing, and trying not to hurt anyone on the local golf course.