University News
WIU LEJA Director Jill Myers Retires
April 29, 2025
MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Jill Joline Myers, Western Illinois University's director of the School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA), has retired after 20 years at WIU.
Myers served as the director of LEJA since 2015, and as professor of graduate and undergraduate courses in legal and criminal justice since 2004. Prior to WIU, she prosecuted violent terrorists and drug organizations for 20 years as Division Chief, Special Investigations Division of the Baltimore, MD, City Attorney's Office.
During her tenure as LEJA director, she was instrumental in the development of the traditional and online criminal justice programs at WIU. In 2021, Study.com named LEJA's program as a Top-Ranked School. In 2020, Online U identified LEJA's online degree as both a "Best Online College for Value" and in its list of "Most Affordable Online Colleges," while Collegefactual.com identifies Western Illinois University's undergraduate degree in LEJA as the top ranked program in the state.
Myers played a key role in securing funding for the development of the Emergency Management program; over $4 Million in funding for improvements to the state-of-art Emergency Operation Center; expansion of the Fire Science program, including a bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Services, as well as the Fire Academy and Crime Lab. She also facilitated partnerships with numerous state agencies, community colleges and high schools.
She is a co-author of the text "Responding to Cyber Bullying: An Action Tool for School Leaders" and has presented on national radio, to K-12 administrators, students, business classes and to law enforcement agencies about cyber safety, digital awareness and digital citizenship.
Myers is proud of years of specialized instruction of graduate and undergraduate students, professional training provided to law enforcement agencies and curriculum development accomplishments, including technology, privacy and the law programs. She is the recipient of the Centennial Honors College Award for Excellence in Teaching, national recognition by Who's Who in America - America's Top Women in Law, Forbes Publishers Top Lawyer/Educators and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Baltimore's School of Law.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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