Dave O’Connor: 2025 POY Finalist

Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice

Program Coordinator, Paralegal Studies

Video Link: https://morainevalley.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=2b3126a5-7018-4fad-a492-b27c01726448

Ballot Information

College Service (Current or Previous)

  • 37th Year of Teaching at MVCC
  • Multiple Nominations for Master Teacher and Professor of the Year
  • MVCC Executive Committee
  • Taught Legal Courses in 2 Departments and 3 Programs
  • Volunteer, MVCC Special Olympics
  • Program Coordinator, Paralegal Studies
  • Recruited Entire New Legal Faculty—True Practicing Experts in Their Respective Legal Field
  • In Initial Two Years of Oversight—Paralegal Studies Enrollment Increased 150%
  • Recruited and Tripled the Number of Paralegal Internship Sites
  • Environmental Scan Committee
  • Initiated the Department “Public Service Award” for Exceptional Students
  • Multiple MVCC Hiring Committees
  • NFO Luncheon Panel—Multiple Occasions
  • Non-Tenure Faculty Committee
  • Bridge Over Covid–Online Coursework Connection– 75 + Recorded Videos for Student Access
  • Re-wrote All CRJ Course Descriptions
  • Participated in Re-Developing Programmatic Marketing Plan
  • Participated in Multiple Open Houses and Student Recruitment Events  
  • Prior MVCC DREAM Mentor
  • Created from Inception or Developed Necessary Curriculum and Taught for First Time: 
    • CRJ 203 Forensic and Crime Scene Investigations   
    • CRJ 204 Crimes that Changed the World                  
    • CRJ 208 Serial Killers and Mass Murderers               
    • PLS 220 Criminal Law for the Paralegal                     
    • CAN 105 Cannabis Laws and Regulations                   
  • Guest Speaker, “A Better Understanding of Insanity” (Psychology Dept.)
  • Guest, Local Cable Network re: MVCC Public Studies Program
  • Initiated the Crime Scene Investigations Laboratory—Construction Slated to be Completed by Fall, 2025.

Community and Public Service (Current or Previous)

  • Dedicated 20 years of 38 Year Legal Career to Public Service as a Violent Crimes Prosecutor
  • Represented Victims of Violence and Trauma as Prosecutor and in Private Practice
  • Former School Board Member for District 230 (Sandburg, Stagg, and Andrew)
  • Vice-President, District 230 Foundation (Raised Money for Student Scholarships and Teacher Grants)
  • D230 Building and Finance Committee
  • D230 Student Services Committee
  • Appointed to District 135 Principal Search Committee
  • Co-Founder, Orland Park Law Enforcement Organization
  • Chairman, Orland Park Fire and Police Commission
  • Coach, Orland Youth Association (Basketball and Softball)
  • Invited and Provided Over 125 Lectures on Various Legal Issues in Over 20 States and Puerto Rico
  • Sponsored Community Groups and Clubs in Fundraising Efforts
  • Pro Bono Representation to Not-for-Profit Groups
  • Parishioner, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Orland Park