LaRhonda Hamilton
Professor – Criminal Justice
Tyler Junior College

Retired Staff Sergeant LaRhonda Hamilton was born and raised in Crockett, Texas. She is the daughter of Virginia and Quince Baker from Crockett, Texas and has one beautiful daughter (Bryia Lewis), who graduated from Stephen F. Austin. LaRhonda served over 20 years in the U.S. Army, to include active duty, Army reserves, and AGR. During her military service, her assignments included Supply Sergeant and Unit Armorer. She served as a platoon sergeant and squad leader. She received numerous military awards and accolades.   LaRhonda’s professional degrees include an Associate of Arts in General Studies, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Administration of Justice and Security and a Master of Science in Psychology. Today she is a Criminal Justice Professor at Tyler Jr. College and supports the community through her volunteerism, in particular with the youth, veterans, and advocate for the criminal justice system. LaRhonda is a member of Leadership Tyler Class 36. She chartered and is currently the president of the East Texas National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (2020); board member of the Empowerment Community Development Corporation, where she serves as secretary; Academic Success Coach and Criminal Justice Student Association Advisor, with Tyler Jr. College; East Texas Veterans Association of Warriors’ Media Coordinator; Board of director for the East Texas League of Women Voters where she serves as vice-president of Community relations with the league, CampV Board of Director, Faculty Senate Member at Tyler Jr. College. She also serves on several committees with Tyler Jr. College. She is a member of East Texas Pan-Hellenic Council, where she serves as the scholarship committee chair, as well as an active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Zeta Kappa Zeta Chapter, Tyler, Texas where she serves as Regional East Texas Youth Director for the sorority; parliamentarian and the local youth coordinator of the Zeta Kappa Zeta Chapter Youth Auxiliary, which she established in Tyler, Texas in 2018. LaRhonda has received several awards since relocating to Tyler, Texas to include The Watson W. Wise Foundation Endowed Chair for Teaching Excellence (2022), Iconic Woman Award (2022), Notable African American Woman Award (2022) Women in Tyler-Woman with A Voice Award (2022), League of Women Voters Gold Star Award (2022), Empowerment Community and Development Corporation Award-Power and Courage (2018), she has received several other awards for her service in the community.  LaRhonda was the visionary and chaired the Inaugural Veterans Ball with the Empowerment Community Development Corporation in November 2021.  LaRhonda’s professional degrees include an Associate of Arts in General Studies, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Administration of Justice and Security and a Master of Science in Psychology.