Deployment allows Harrison Watts to continue online instruction 

The COVID-19 pandemic has created double duties for Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) criminal justice professor Harrison Watts. He has deployed with the Texas State Guard while continuing to teach five online classes.

“For operational security, my exact dates of deployment and official tasks are classified,” explained Watts, 49, a U.S. Army veteran. “That said, the Texas State Guard, in general is providing emergency response to COVID-19, and I am part of that response.”

With the support of the Texas State Guard, Watts continues to teach criminal justice at OLLU -- but not on camera. He creates a week of block instruction. Students complete and email him their assignments. Watts grades their work and speaks with students throughout the week.

“I get up early in the morning, log on and do postings with students, grade papers and answer questions,” Watts said. “Then I come into work with the military. The only reason I’m able to do this is because everything has moved online. It’s business as usual. The only difference is instead of being locked down in my house, I’m performing military duties during the day.”

HIs students are learning from a well-schooled professor. Watts has eight degrees: An AAS in agriculture from Vernon College; a BAAS in criminal justice from Midwestern State; an MA in political science/public management from Midwestern State; an MA in U.S. history and criminal justice from Sam Houston State; an MS in human resource management from Golden State University; an MBA from University of the Southwest; an MA in law from Regent University School of Law; and a PhD in criminal justice from North Central University.

Watts is close to a ninth degree. He is scheduled to graduate on May 1 with a master of jurisprudence from Texas A&M University School of Law.  

Born in Wichita Falls, Watts enlisted in the Army out of Martin High School in Arlington in 1988. He joined the Texas State Guard in 2019, five years after he began teaching at OLLU.

“I’m happy to serve my community and help protect Texans any way I can,” he said. “People who choose the military look forward to putting their training to use in times that demand it. This is one of those times."