Maria Garza
Deputy Chief, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, Criminology and Criminal Justice
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Bio
Garza brings over 40 years of law enforcement experience to the classroom, offering students a real-world perspective on criminal justice and public safety. She currently serves as Deputy Chief with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. She is a retired Captain from the Texas Department of Public Safety – Intelligence and Counterterrorism Division, as well as a retired Executive Chief Deputy from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office.
She holds a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree from St. Edward’s University and a Master of Science in Criminology from Texas State University.
Her teaching philosophy emphasizes active participation and continuous engagement. To be successful, students should take part in all face-to-face class discussions, as this fosters understanding of assigned readings and provides opportunities to address questions as they arise. This course will require dedication, hard work, and a commitment to academic integrity.
Outside of her professional work, Garza enjoys reading, exploring the outdoors, and lifelong learning.
