Welcome Dr. Hurley!

Dr. Martha Hurley joins Texas A&M University-Commerce from The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, as the new department head and professor of sociology and criminal justice. With a master's degree in sociology and a Ph.D. in criminal justice, Dr. Hurley can't wait to expand the curriculum to encompass the changing times.

“I believe in the three pillars: theory, research, and practice; they inform each other,” Hurley said, “and by applying these, I believe we can change with times and appeal to a wider student body.”

She wants to show students that there are countless career paths that can stem from these degrees, including working with youth in after-school programs.

Hurley loves Commerce and the chance to work with a diverse student body, hoping to implement community involvement into her program. “One side informs the other,” she said in describing her hopes to start community involvement, more student organizations, after-school programs, and volunteer work in the department.

“I see the potential for these students to see what to do with these degrees; the field has expanded and so will we!”