Lisa Medlin serves as an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice in Howard Payne University’s School of Humanities. With five years of teaching experience, including four years at HPU, Medlin brings a strong background in law, criminal justice, child welfare, and restorative practices to her work with students.
Medlin teaches several courses within the Criminal Justice program, including Fundamentals of Criminal Law, Juvenile Delinquency, Restorative Justice in the Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Systems, and Race, Class, Gender, and Crime. Through these courses, she helps students examine the ways laws, social systems, and human behavior intersect within communities. Her teaching encourages students to think critically about the criminal justice system and the impact it has on individuals, families, and society as a whole.
One of the aspects Medlin values most about teaching at HPU is the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with students. She believes that strong faculty-student connections can make a significant difference in the college experience and enjoys being able to support students as they develop academically and professionally. She also appreciates the faculty and staff at Howard Payne and considers the people she works alongside to be one of the strongest parts of her experience at the university.
Medlin is passionate about criminal justice because crime and the law affect nearly every aspect of everyday life. She believes understanding legal systems and social issues can help students become better prepared to serve their communities and make thoughtful decisions in their future careers. Her academic interests also reflect a strong concern for vulnerable populations, particularly children and families involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
Medlin earned a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University and a Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law. Her legal education provides a strong foundation for teaching criminal law while also supporting her broader work in areas such as juvenile justice, restorative justice, trauma-informed care, and social issues connected to the justice system.
In addition to teaching, Medlin has presented on topics related to restorative justice, adoption, childhood adversity, trauma, compassion, and the experiences of marginalized populations. Her presentations include “Restorative Justice in Action: Healing Childhood Adversity Through Fostering and Adoption,” “Embracing Adoptive Families,” “Compassion Building: Understanding How the Past of the Marginalized Influences Their Present,” and a conference presentation focused on responding differently to children who have experienced trauma.
Outside of HPU, Medlin enjoys reading, cooking, traveling both within and outside the United States, drinking coffee, and spending time with friends. She is involved with Manchaca Methodist Church in Austin, Texas.
Medlin’s office is located in Girling 207. Through her teaching, leadership, legal background, and commitment to students, she seeks to prepare future criminal justice professionals who are knowledgeable, thoughtful, compassionate, and ready to serve their communities responsibly.
