Title: Professor of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security
Company: Columbia Southern University
Location: Weatherford, Texas, United States
Barry L. Goodson, MSAJS, CHPP, Office of Bombing Prevention-CTBP, Professor of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security at Columbia Southern University, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in criminal justice and homeland security.
Mr. Goodson’s exceptional career spans more than four decades, marked by a steadfast commitment to public service, education and community safety. As the professor of criminal justice and homeland security at Columbia Southern University since 2009, he has been dedicated to preparing students for careers in law enforcement and security. His curriculum includes courses such as introduction to criminal justice, criminal investigation and criminal justice organization and administration, where he integrates both theoretical frameworks and practical field experience.
Since 2022, Mr. Goodson has also excelled as adjunct professor at Waldorf University in Forest City, Iowa, where he teaches counterterrorism, weapons of mass destruction and critical incident management. His expertise in situational awareness—particularly regarding threats posed by terrorist or lone wolf actors using homemade explosives—has been widely recognized and praised.
From 2016 to 2023, Mr. Goodson found success as the executive director of Caribbean Crimes and Human Trafficking Investigations, overseeing operations across the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Caribbean. His leadership was instrumental in developing strategies to combat human trafficking and organized crime until the COVID-19 pandemic forced the dissolution of many initiatives due to government restrictions.
Between 2014 and 2021, Mr. Goodson contributed as a social sciences adjunct professor at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas, where he provided instruction on criminal justice topics relevant to the region’s unique challenges. From 2012 to 2018, he was recruited as a professor of forensic psychology with Laureate Online Education B.V./University of Liverpool in Dallas, Texas, further expanding his academic influence internationally. Mr. Goodson’s teaching portfolio also includes a tenure as professor of counter-terrorism and emergency planning at Everest Online in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex from 2011 to 2015. He previously held the post of chair of criminal justice at Columbia Southern University from 2009 to 2010.
Mr. Goodson’s international experience is highlighted by his service as central region commander for the Afghan National Civil Order Police (ANCOP) program in Kabul from 2006 to 2008. In this capacity, he oversaw operations across thirteen provinces, leading more than three hundred Allied military and law enforcement personnel from multiple countries. He played a pivotal role in training Afghan police forces, implementing domestic violence programs and advocating for the inclusion of women in law enforcement despite significant resistance.
Mr. Goodson’s law enforcement career began with the Parker County Sheriff’s Department in Weatherford, Texas, where he served as a jailer before advancing to patrol deputy between 1989 and 2006. He was likewise appointed as second-in-command in criminal investigations and lead officer for the Crimes Against Children Task Force between 1990 and 2001. Since 1997, Mr. Goodson has held the position of lead patrol sergeant with the department.
Mr. Goodson’s military service began with his enlistment in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War between 1968 and 1969. Serving as squad leader for Alpha 1/7 Alpha Guns Hill 10 Firebase and assistant squad leader for CAP 124 in Quang Tin Province, Vietnam, he experienced intense combat conditions and was wounded three times during deployment. His leadership within CAP—a Combined Action Program unit embedded directly within local villages—shaped his lifelong philosophy of service rooted in direct engagement and compassion.
Mr. Goodson’s professional journey also includes roles outside law enforcement, such as the owner and president of Forest Park Construction in Fort Worth from 1986 to 1989, the manager at Transcon Engineering from 1985 to 1986, the national sales and project manager for Nicholson Engineered Systems Inc. from 1978 to 1985, and a sales engineer with Rapistan Inc. from 1973 to 1978. Throughout his career, he has maintained active memberships with several professional organizations, including the Parker County Police Association, the Springtown Chamber of Commerce Optimists, the American Legion and the Combined Action Program Association.
Mr. Goodson’s educational background is extensive. He completed coursework toward a Doctor of Philosophy in criminal justice and homeland security at Liberty University and pursued doctoral studies in psychology and criminology at University of the Rockies through coursework completed in 2011. In previous years, Mr. Goodson earned a Master of Science in administration of justice and security from University of Phoenix in 2008 after obtaining a Bachelor of Business Administration in business administration and marketing from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth in 1972.
Mr. Goodson holds numerous certifications that have enhanced his professional capabilities: CISA Bomb-Making Materials Awareness Program-Administrative Trainer (BMAP-AT) certification from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in 2020, a CISA BMAP-AT Protective Measures certification in 2020, IS100.b and IS200.b certifications in 2013. He was also certified as a homeland protection professional designation from the National Sheriffs’ Association, a crime prevention specialist, and in advanced law enforcement from Tarrant County College in 1991.
Raised on a Texas farm by his parents and grandparents, Mr. Goodson credits his upbringing for instilling a “barn raising attitude”—a tradition emphasizing community support over individual pursuits—which became foundational to his leadership style both domestically and abroad. He describes himself as a dogmatic investigator who commits fully to every project or case he undertakes—a trait shaped by early lessons in survival skills taught by his grandfather that later proved invaluable during military service.
Mr. Goodson’s transition into academia followed his return from Afghanistan when a friend introduced him to Columbia Southern University leadership. Although unplanned, teaching became a passion through which he continues serving others by equipping future law enforcement professionals with practical knowledge drawn from real-world experience.
Mr. Goodson’s civic involvement is equally robust: since 2019, he has volunteered with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Bomb-Making Materials Awareness Program (BMAP) in Greater Tampa Bay. He previously served as coordinator for Crime Stoppers Weatherford and an advisor for Explorer Post 72 Weatherford. Mr. Goodson likewise remains involved with veteran organizations such as SRQ Vets Sarasota.
Among Mr. Goodson’s many honors are recognition as one of Parker County’s Top 100 Most Interesting People in 2016. The recipient of the Parker County Civic Award from Parker County Crime Commission in 1997, he was formerly celebrated as the Officer of the Year by VFW and Ladies Auxiliary Weatherford in 1995. Mr. Goodson has also been championed as the Sergeant of the Year, Investigator of the Year and multiple Sheriff’s Commendation Awards for outstanding service.
Mr. Goodson is also an accomplished author whose works include “Country Cop: True Tales from a Texas Deputy Sheriff (Volume 11),” part of the North Texas Crime and Criminal Justice Series published by University of North Texas Press in 2020; and “CAP Môt” released in 1997—a personal account honoring cultural connections forged during Vietnam service. He has likewise been credited as the creator of “Protect Our Little Ones” in 1997. He is currently working on a new book tentatively titled “For the People,” inspired by his experiences supporting communities both domestically and abroad.
Looking toward the future, Mr. Goodson plans to remain actively engaged wherever possible—continuing efforts that promote situational awareness against terrorist threats while supporting neighbors and friends through ongoing community involvement. Reflecting on his life’s work, he considers his greatest achievement not a single event but rather a lifelong dedication to being present for others—an ethos shaped by formative experiences on a Texas farm that guided him through combat zones abroad into classrooms at home. This unwavering commitment continues to define both his legacy and daily actions within every community he serves.
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