Minerva Cruz

Minerva Cruz, EdD, teaches courses in Strategic Organizational Leadership, Mastering Organizational Effectiveness, Ethics and Leadership, Leadership in a Borderless Economy, Essentials of Business Analysis, Essentials of Business Process Management, Essentials of Commercial Contract Management, Essentials of Government Contract Management, and Education in Villanova University’s College of Professional Studies. Outside Villanova’s classrooms, Dr. Cruz has instructed police recruits for more than 12 years at the Philadelphia Police Department Academy. Dr. Cruz is a 25-year veteran of the PPD, where she holds the rank of lieutenant. Whether she’s instructing college students or police recruits, Dr. Cruz brings with her a collection of skills that includes crisis management, counterterrorism, private investigations, public safety, budgeting, statistical analysis, labor laws, and ethical and behavioral leadership. Dr. Cruz said she entered college with plans to become a physician until an instructor convinced her she was “a natural teacher.” She worked as a financial planner before joining the PPD as a radio dispatcher, eventually becoming a police officer. “I saw police work as an extension of my commitment to help and serve people,” Dr. Cruz said. “My teaching experiences, combined with my doctorate and my passion for helping people reach their educational and personal goals, led to me deciding to teach at the collegiate level.” Dr. Cruz believes “I am here not only to teach you but learn from you as well.”

Companies

• Police Lieutenant Philadelphia Police Department (2017)
• Adjunct Professor and Academic Advisor Villanova University (2015)
• Police Sergeant Philadelphia Police Department (1994 — 2017)
• Adjunct Professor ITT Technical Institute (2009 — 2016)
• Adjunct Professor Immaculata University (2012 — 2016)

Education

• Doctor of Education (EdD) Delaware State University (2009 — 2012)
• Master's degree Philadelphia University (2006 — 2008)
• Bachelor of Science (BS) Penn State University (1985 — 1989)