Date of Award
Fall 12-15-2025
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
EdD Education Leadership, Management and Policy
Department
Education Leadership, Management and Policy
Advisor
Santiago Castiello-Guttierrez, PhD
Committee Member
Kishon C. Hickman Sr., EdD
Committee Member
Harvey Barnwell, EdD
Keywords
higher education, resilience, human capital, social capital, resilience, critical thinking, mental health, adaptive capacity, servant leadership
Abstract
This dissertation examines how higher education supports resilience among law enforcement officers who regularly face stress, trauma, and public scrutiny in their work. Policing demands rapid decision-making under pressure, emotional regulation, and the ability to balance enforcement with the need to build community trust. These challenges often impact officers’ mental health, identity, and long-term effectiveness. Through interviews with officers who have pursued higher education, this study highlights how academic learning expands their perspectives and strengthens adaptive capacity. The following six themes emerged from the analysis: resilience as a core professional skill, the role of continuous learning, the importance of mentorship, strategies for managing mental health, the negotiation of personal and professional identity, and servant leadership in community relations. Together, these themes show how education fosters broader thinking, self-awareness, and stronger problem-solving abilities. Participants described higher education as a turning point that not only improved their job performance but also deepened their sense of identity beyond the uniform. Academic training helped them recognize and respond to stress more effectively, while also promoting empathy and ethical reasoning in public interactions. At the organizational level, these findings suggest that agencies can benefit by supporting educational opportunities as a way to strengthen resilience, leadership, and community trust.
Recommended Citation
Boone, Cecil, "Strengthening the Shield: Resilience in Law Enforcement and the Transformative Effects of Higher Education" (2025). Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs). 4421.
https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/4421
