Alumni spotlight: Jerod Perron, BA Justice '05

This week's Justice alum profile highlights Jerod Perron.

Jerod Perron

Jerod Perron, BA Justice '05, was a Juvenile Justice Officer II at McLaughlin for 8 years, but left that position in 2014. Currently he is a Protective Services Specialist III with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Senior and Disabilities Services, Adult Protective Services.  Jerod recalled that while serving Alaska youth at McLaughlin Youth Center (MYC), he was elated by being able to assist young people, and to work with a stellar group of colleagues—individuals who day in and day out had the same passion for their job that they had on the day they started.  One of the biggest challenges was “working within policy, procedure, and state statute that is written black and white when there’s a lot of gray in each case or referral.”

His move to assisting adults is an exciting new adventure and a very rewarding progression in a career that started with working with small children at the Office of Children Services in Fairbanks, then youth at MYC, and now adults.  In his current position he investigates reports of abandonment, abuse, exploitation, neglect, self-neglect, and undue influence.
 
While attending UAA, Jerod switched from Engineering to Justice and considered going to law school.  Looking back on his student days, Jerod said that more courses emphasizing case law and statutes would have been useful — this type of legal knowledge has been an essential part of his career.  He encourages anyone considering a career in the justice field to take these kinds of classes.  When he is not working, he cherishes spending time with his family and being in the outdoors- especially running.