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Jonathan McCombs, Ph.D.

Vice President of Academic Affairs

jonathan.mccombs@franklin.edu

Profile

Jonathan McCombs, Ph.D. serves as the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Franklin University, where he leads the University’s academic enterprise with a focus on innovation, collaboration, and student success. With over 25 years of experience in higher education and public safety, Dr. McCombs has built a career distinguished by his ability to develop strategic partnerships that expand educational access and create impactful workforce solutions. At Franklin, he has been a driving force in advancing educational technology initiatives and building employer-aligned programs that integrate workplace learning with academic achievement. He has cultivated relationships with healthcare systems, public agencies, and industry partners to design and deliver innovative pathways that meet evolving workforce needs while maintaining the University’s commitment to quality, affordability, and accessibility. Dr. McCombs is the co-founder of the Center for Public Safety and Cybersecurity Education, which brings together education, technology, and partnerships to address critical workforce challenges. His research interests include problem-based learning, online education, and the application of technology to improve learning outcomes. A former police officer and investigator, Dr. McCombs earned a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice, with his dissertation focused on problem-based learning in law enforcement in-service training. In 2020, he was appointed to the Fulbright Specialist Roster, recognizing his expertise and contributions to global education.

Education

2015
Capella University (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Doctor of Philosophy in Public Safety, Criminal Justice
2006
Troy University (Troy, Alabama)
Master of Science, Criminal Justice
1999
Clemson University (Clemson, South Carolina)
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology

Certifications

Human Research , Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program)

Work Experience

2025 - Present
Franklin University, Vice President of Academic Affairs
2017 - 2025
Franklin University, Dean, College of Health & Public Administration
2015 - 2017
Franklin University, Program Chair
2014 - 2015
Franklin University, Lead Faculty

Publications & Presentations

McCombs, J. (2025, Jun. 05). Problem-Based Learning in Law Enforcement In-Service Training. Nattional Association of Field Training Officers - national conference, Indianapolis, Indiana.
McCombs, J. (2015, Jun. 05). Integrating PBL Activities into Online Courses. Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Conference, Columbus, OH.
McCombs, J., & Martin, C. (2015, Jun. 05). Integrating the TV Show, ""The Walking Dead' into your curriculum. Teaching and Learning In Higher Education Conference, Columbus, OH.
McCombs, J. (2015, Jun. 03). Aligning Workforce Training with Academic Preparation: Panel Discussion. Teaching Public Administration Conference, Columbus, OH.
McCombs, J. (2015, Mar. 05). Problem-Based Learning in Law Enforcement In-Service Training: Utilizing Use of Force as a Measure of Job Performance. ACJS Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida.
McCombs, J., & Oconnor, K. (2014, Nov. 14). An Innovative Higher Education Partnership. Franklin University Learning Showcase, Franklin University Main Campus.
McCombs, J., & Asbury, S. (2014, Nov. 14). Central Ohio Regional Enforcement: Training Initiative. Franklin University Learning Showcase, Franklin University Main Campus.
McCombs, J., Miner-Romanoff, K., & Robinson, N. (2014, Nov. 14). Ohio Institute of Criminal Justice Excellence. Franklin University Learning Showcase, Franklin University Main Campus.
McCombs, J. (2014, Nov. 14). Problem Based Learning in Law Enforcement In-Service Training: Research Proposal. Franklin University Learning Showcase, Franklin University Main Campus.
McCombs, J., Chongwony, L., & Miner-Romanoff, K. (2014, Nov. 14). Interactive, Holistic, and Experiential Online Learning Environments Research Study. Franklin University Learning Showcase, Franklin University Main Campus.
McCombs, J. (2014, Oct. 10). Problem Based Learning in Public Safety Training. Ohio Association of Two Year Colleges Annual Conference, Wright State University-Lakeland Campus.
McCombs, J. (2014, Oct. 10). An Innovative Higher Education Partnership: Columbus Division of Fire and CSCC. Ohio Association of Two Year Colleges Conference, Wright State University- Lakeland Campus.
McCombs, J. (2014, Aug. 29). Teaching Undergraduate Criminal Justice After Retirement: You will need a Master's Degree!. City of Columbus Division of Police Academy.
McCombs, J. (2014, Aug. 26). Law Enforcement Training. Rotary Club - Pickerington/Reynoldsburg, Reynoldsburg, OH.
McCombs, J. (2014, Jun. 13). Problem-Based Learning in Public Safety Training: A New Paradigm. Teaching and Learning Conference, Franklin University.
McCombs, J. (2014, Jun. 04). Criminal Justice Topics in 'The Walking Dead' TV Show. CJAD Honor Society Meeting and Webinar, Online.
McCombs, J. (2014, May. 02). Teaching Undergraduate Criminal Justice After Retirement: You will need a Master's Degree!. City of Columbus Division of Police Academy.

Professional Service

2016
University Senate Service
Faculty Senate
(Columbus, Ohio) End Date: 2018
2016
Task Force Member
Partnership Development Council
(Columbus, Ohio)
2015
Committee Chair
Assessment Committee
(Columbus, Ohio) End Date: 2016
2014
Board Member
Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Board of Fairfield County
(Lancaster, Ohio) End Date: 2024
2014
Committee Member
Assessment Committee
(Columbus, Ohio) End Date: 2015
2014
Committee Member
Sabbatical Committee
(Columbus, Ohio) End Date: 2017
2014
Committee Member
Policy Review Committee
End Date: 2017
2011
Committee Member
Bargaining Team Administration
End Date: 2011
2010
Committee Member
Strategic Scheduling Leadership Team
(Columbus, Ohio) End Date: 2014

Memberships

2014
American Society of Criminology
The American Society of Criminology is an international organization whose members pursue scholarly, scientific, and professional knowledge concerning the measurement, etiology, consequences, prevention, control, and treatment of crime and delinquency. The Society's objectives are to encourage the exchange, in a multidisciplinary setting, of those engaged in research, teaching, and practice so as to foster criminological scholarship, and to serve as a forum for the dissemination of criminological knowledge. Our membership includes students, practitioners, and academicians from the many fields of criminal justice and criminology.
2011
Society for the Scientific Detection of Crime
We're a group of experts from different crime- related backgrounds who study crimes, do case reviews, and on occasion will use our expertise to assist law enforcement agencies.
2010
American Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) is an international association established in 1963 to foster professional and scholarly activities in the field of criminal justice. ACJS promotes criminal justice education, research, and policy analysis within the discipline of criminal justice for both educators and practitioners. Providing a forum for disseminating ideas related to issues in research, policy, education, and practice within the field, ACJS attributes its success in creating this dynamic professional association to the composition of its membership. As change expands the existing boundaries of the criminal justice field, ACJS is comprised of members from a variety of diversified backgrounds including: Scholars who are international in scope and multidisciplinary in orientation, Professionals from all sectors of the criminal justice system, and Students seeking to explore the criminal justice field as future scholars or practitioners Through the vital interchange of ideas among these groups, ACJS members develop and share knowledge about critical issues regarding crime and criminal and social justice. ACJS is comprised of an amalgam of scholars (international in scope and multidisciplinary in orientation), professionals (from all segments of the justice system), and students. Our success in creating this dynamic professional association is due to the variety of interest represented in its membership.