Author Bio

Eric R. Ramirez-Thompson, PhD, Chair | Professor of Criminal and Justice Studies, College of DuPage https://www.cod.edu/faculty/websites/thompsone/index.aspx

Dr. Ramirez-Thompson is a dedicated educator in the field of Criminology, Law, and Justice, holding a doctorate from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) where he was a recipient of the prestigious Lincoln Fellowship. His current research focuses on the impact of technology on crime and deviance, examining both direct and indirect effects, and exploring how computerization has transformed the criminal justice profession over the past decade.

Before his tenure in Chicago, Dr. Ramirez-Thompson earned both a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). During this time, he contributed significantly to the Orange County Adult Drug Court (OCADC), particularly in developing alternative treatment modalities with a focus on exercise.

Dr. Ramirez-Thompson’s scholarly contributions include peer-reviewed publications on intellectual property theft, drug court interventions, and the integration of physical fitness in client treatment programs. He has also served as a guest author for books addressing health and wellness for first responders.

For the past eighteen years, Dr. Ramirez-Thompson has been a Professor and Chair of the Criminal and Justice Studies (CJS) Department at the College of DuPage, Illinois’s second-largest undergraduate education provider. He passionately integrates wellness into his teaching, encouraging future criminal justice professionals to prioritize physical and emotional health.

A former competitive athlete, Dr. Ramirez-Thompson practices what he preaches through a lifestyle he calls “demonstrative practice,” exemplifying the benefits of physical fitness and wellness in his daily life.