Dr. Tamara Lynn
Chair/Professor
Fort Hays State University
Rarick Hall 131 D
785-628-5235
tjlynn@fhsu.edu
Degrees:
Ph.D. Sociology, Kansas State University M.L.S., Fort Hays State University
B.A., Fort Hays State University
Dr. Tamara Lynn serves as Chair and Professor of Criminal Justice at Fort Hays State University (FHSU), where she leads interdisciplinary efforts to strengthen public safety through education and training, innovation, and research. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology, with concentrations in Criminology and Political Sociology, from Kansas State University, and a Master of Liberal Studies, with concentrations in Criminal Justice and Public Administration. Her work bridges the fields of criminal justice, education, and behavioral health, with a strong emphasis on proactive and collaborative approaches to conflict resolution.
Dr. Lynn is the Executive Council President of the National De-Escalation Training Center (NDTC), where she coordinates national operations, develops training standards, and advances policy initiatives for a network of regional training centers. A certified master-level de-escalation trainer, she has contributed to the development of a nationally recognized model that equips law enforcement, school resource officers, school administrators, security personnel, and faculty with the tools needed to manage behavioral challenges through unified, evidence-based responses.
Under her leadership, FHSU has secured over $3.5 million in federal funding to expand access to de-escalation training, with a particular focus on serving rural and underserved law enforcement agencies and now school communities. These efforts have earned national recognition and elevated the university’s role in promoting safer, more inclusive environments for students and public safety professionals alike.
Prior to her academic career, Dr. Lynn served as Program Director and acting principal of Westside Alternative School in Hays, Kansas—a unique partnership between the local school district and the community mental health center. There, she led a K–12 program supporting students with significant behavioral, emotional, and mental health needs. Her leadership integrated educational instruction with wraparound services, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed care to improve both safety and academic success.
Dr. Lynn’s expertise and passion lie in advancing cross-sector collaboration to reduce conflict, build trust, and improve outcomes for law enforcement, schools, and communities. Her work exemplifies the goals of One Team, One Response by uniting key stakeholders in a shared commitment to de-escalation and student-centered safety.
For more information, and to see Dr. Lynn's accomplishments, please click on the link below.