Beth Whittington has dedicated three decades to advancing criminal justice education and strengthening community partnerships. She was the university’s first full-time professor in the Criminal Justice program, helping grow it from a small two-year offering into a thriving academic department. Named Chair of the department in 2018, she has since expanded faculty collaboration, deepened student engagement, and broadened LSUA’s impact on justice-related fields across Louisiana.

Previously, Whittington served 15 years at the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office in Monroe, Louisiana, rising to the rank of Criminal Investigator. Her extensive professional network spans courts, district attorneys, law enforcement, and advocacy organizations, providing valuable pathways for student learning and career opportunities. She also serves on LSUA’s Criminal Justice Advisory Board and is actively engaged in community initiatives such as For the Sake of the City, a think tank focused on addressing youth crime prevention in Central Louisiana.