NSU professor Brett A. Fitzgerald honored with 2025 Founder’s Award

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Northeastern State University proudly announces that Dr. Brett A. Fitzgerald, professor of criminal justice, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Felix M. Fabian Sr. Founder’s Award, presented by the Southwestern Association of Criminal Justice.

This distinguished honor recognizes exceptional contributions to criminal justice education, scholarship, and service to the discipline. Fitzgerald’s career reflects more than 25 years of dedication to the field, including a decade as a juvenile justice specialist for the State of Oklahoma and nearly 20 years as an influential faculty member at NSU.

Fitzgerald earned his Ph.D. in public policy with an emphasis in juvenile justice from the University of Arkansas and previously served as program chair for NSU’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice.

As a scholar, Fitzgerald has contributed extensively to the study of juvenile justice and educational equity, publishing and presenting on issues such as the school-to-prison pipeline, organizational justice in policing, and juvenile justice disparities.

Fitzgerald said NSU has profoundly shaped both his academic and professional path.
“NSU has not only provided me with the foundation I stand on as a practitioner and academic, this institution has been a part of my DNA since I was a freshman in 1980,” he said. “The mentorship I received as a student served me very well as a practitioner, and today, as a department chair, the academic mentorship I am blessed with is completely necessary. I hope to continue to be ‘shaped’ by NSU.”

When asked what advice he offers students pursuing justice or public service careers, Fitzgerald said, “Working in the criminal justice system may not be for everyone, however, it is one of the most rewarding professions. You get to help people in serious need, ease people’s minds and change injustice into fairness. If you believe in yourself, you will be successful.”

NSU President Rodney Hanley said Fitzgerald’s recognition reflects the university’s longstanding commitment to developing leaders who make a meaningful impact in their professions and communities.

“Dr. Fitzgerald exemplifies the best of what it means to be an NSU scholar and mentor,” Hanley said. “His dedication to justice, education and service demonstrates how our faculty not only teach theory but actively shape the future of their fields. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor.”

For more information about NSU’s Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, visit nsuok.edu/criminaljustice or call 918-444-2348.

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