FACULTY AND CLASSES
PSC professors have professional experience and expertise in the field of criminal justice. Our students benefit from their knowledge and skill, learning in modern classrooms and computer labs. Classes are conveniently scheduled with evening courses available. Field trips to correctional institutions and other facilities supplement the curriculum.
Kenneth O'Keefe
Mr. O'Keefe holds an M.S. in Corrections and Criminal Justice from Chicago State University and a B.A. from Governors State University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA.
During his 30 years of service in law enforcement, he gained experience as a patrol officer, detective, youth officer, sergeant, commander, and three years as a Chief of Police.
Mr. O'Keefe has served PSC as an Adjunct Professor for about eight years and he is now a full-time Assistant Professor/Coordinator of Criminal Justice. He is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the South Suburban Association of Chiefs of Police.
John Armelino
Mr. Armelino graduated from Kent College of Law in 1977. He also holds a B.A. from the University of Chicago and an A.A. from Prairie State College.
A self-employed attorney for the past 17 years, Armelino was a Cook County prosecutor for eight years and a police officer for 14 years. He has been teaching at Prairie State College for the last six years.
Armelino served on the Flossmoor Police and Fire Board for two terms and was a Flossmoor trustee for two years. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and numerous criminal defense organizations.
Armelino enjoys teaching for its own sake and encourages any student reading this to "go to the library and read criminal justice journals--NOW!"
Dale A. Gustafson
Mr. Gustafson holds an M.S. in Criminal Justice from Chicago State University, a B.S. in Business Management and a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Calumet College of St. Joseph.
For the last 8 years, Gustafson has been a part-time instructor at Prairie State College. He is the Deputy Chief of Police–Support Services, at the Homewood Police Department. During his 20 years of experience in law enforcement, he has served as a Field Training Officer, D.A.R.E. Officer, Firearms, Baton and O/C Spray Instructor, Juvenile Officer, and School Liaison Officer.
Gustafson is also a member of the Athletic Board of St. Damian School. He was recipient of the Kreml Award for Leadership from Northwestern University Center for Public Safety and was named Supervisor of the Year for 2002 by the Village of Homewood.
Among his affiliations are the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, the South Suburban Association of Chiefs of Police, the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers, the Illinois Police Instructors Trainers Organization, and the Illinois Crime Prevention Association.
Thomas P. Panichi
Judge Panichi holds a J.D. from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law and is a graduate of Southern Illinois University.
An attorney since 1973, Panichi became a Circuit Court Judge in 1994. He is currently a Presiding Judge of Markham Drug Court and Chairman of the 6th District (Markham) Traffic Safety Committee.
Panichi has taught classes at Prairie State since 2001. He is a member of the Board of Directors, Illinois Association of Drug Court Professionals.