Stephen Stockman
Stockman has spent the past 18 years as an instructor for the Virginia Forensic Science Academy where he taught crime scene investigation skills to police personnel.
Stephen Stockman has spent the past 18 years as an instructor for the Virginia Forensic Science Academy. While there he taught crime scene investigation skills to police personnel. Prior to that position, he spent six and a half years in Virginia Beach as a forensic technician in the investigative division of the police department. Stockman is also a Navy veteran. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, one of which is a VCU student.
Q&A with Stephen Stockman
Where did you grow up? Can you tell us a little about your educational journey?
I grew up in a small town outside of Buffalo, N.Y., called Evans. My educational journey was not very conventional. After high school, I went to Erie Community College and SUNY Buffalo before enlisting in the Navy. While serving in Norfolk, I continued my education at night completing a bachelor’s degree in criminology from St. Leo University. Finally, I earned my Masters in Public Administration from Troy University while working as a crime scene investigator in Virginia Beach.
When did you first fall in love with your field of study? What made you decide to work in academia?
Law enforcement was my calling, but in the late ’90s crime scene investigation became very popular due to certain cases of note. I became a civilian CSI because of this. In all of my professional positions I have taught, trained and helped others along the way. All of this has led me to VCU.
What attracted you to VCU? What are you most excited about in regards to VCU and Richmond?
Richmond has been my home for 18 years. The forensic science graduate program has had a great reputation for decades. I hope to be a part of that reputation for years to come.
Can you talk a little about your teaching philosophy? What do you most like about teaching?
I want my students to be prepared with all the necessary tools required to enter today’s workforce with confidence and no surprises after graduation. That is my goal. The best part of teaching is seeing the success of students after they graduate.
Can you tell us either a quirky fact about yourself or some of your hobbies?
I am a diehard Buffalo Bills/Sabres fan and enjoy watching as many games as I can. I also played on Christian Laettner’s elementary school’s basketball team.