Michael Pittaro, director of corrections for Northampton County, recently spoke to students in two Penn State Lehigh Valley criminal justice classes. He shared stories from his 35-year career in corrections and information about finding employment in the field.
CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — A seasoned professional in the field of corrections shared stories about his experiences over his 35-year career with Penn State Lehigh Valley criminal justice students recently.
Michael Pittaro is the director of corrections for Northampton County and associate professor of criminal justice at American Military University. His diverse background includes roles as executive director of an outpatient drug and alcohol facility and a crime prevention agency. Pittaro holds a doctorate in criminal justice, an master of public administration and a bachelor of science in criminal justice. His expertise lies in corrections, leadership and suicide prevention for criminal justice professionals, and he is a QPR-certified facilitator — someone trained in the question, persuade, refer suicide prevention approach — with a master’s certification in emotional intelligence.
Pittaro spoke to students in "CRIMJ 230: Corrections in America" and "CRIMJ 290: Introduction to Internship Experience" classes, taught by Vanessa L. Starr, adjunct instructor of criminal justice, and Debra A. Dreisbach, assistant teaching professor and criminal justice program coordinator, respectively. Pittaro shared firsthand experience about what it takes to work in the corrections field. He spoke more broadly about the area of prison reform and some of the current challenges within the prison system.
Starr, a U.S. probation officer, said speakers like Pittaro provide students with a different perspective on the various aspects of the criminal justice field.
“They’ve heard about my experiences in community supervision, but hearing from him offered another viewpoint. It gives them a balanced understanding of the differences between the two professions — what each involves and the educational requirements. It was a great opportunity to explore the contrasts between community and institutional corrections,” Starr said.
Additionally, Pittaro spoke about the internship opportunities available with the corrections system in Northampton County and the job responsibilities of corrections officers.
“We aim to introduce our students to a wide range of fields and perspectives," Starr said. "Even if a student has declared a criminal justice major, they may not have a clear understanding of their career options. Access to internship opportunities can serve as an important stepping stone for gaining hands-on experience in the field. Our speakers provide valuable exposure to various jobs within the criminal justice system, allowing them to discover careers they hadn’t previously considered. This exposure plays a vital role in shaping their future decisions. Sparking their interest through these opportunities is one of the greatest benefits of inviting professionals to speak.”
For more information on Penn State Lehigh Valley's criminal justice program, visit the program’s website.
