Kean University Launches Self-Defense Training Initiative for Students Pursuing Law Enforcement Careers
Kean University students took place in a self-defense class led by UFC veteran Jimmie Rivera.
Two Kean faculty members have launched a new self-defense initiative designed to equip criminal justice majors and others with the confidence and skills needed to enter law enforcement or related careers.
Assistant Professor Amanda Thomas, Ph.D., a retired NYPD sergeant, and Lecturer Dennis Bogdan, a retired police lieutenant who served in various local departments throughout New Jersey, developed the program this semester to build students’ physical readiness to meet police academy standards.
The first expanded training session took place when they arranged for criminal justice majors to work with Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Jimmie Rivera. Now a police officer in Elmwood Park and the head defensive tactics coordinator for Bergen County, Rivera led students through defensive techniques, safe disengagement strategies, wrist-grab responses and a kickboxing workout.
“We were incredibly fortunate to work with Jimmie,” Thomas said. “He is involved in developing the curriculum for officers and able to face students with real-world encounters.”
Drawing on her years in law enforcement, Thomas said the goal is to give students foundational skills that will help them succeed in the academy and on the job.
“Arrests, unfortunately, will often end up turning physical,” Thomas said. “We want to offer introductory classes where students can learn hands-on tactics the proper way.”
Bogdan and Thomas also held an on-campus fitness event at Kean Alumni Stadium, where students completed a mock physical assessment modeled after the New Jersey Police Training Commission’s standards.
“To prepare students for the police academy, we showed them exactly what the State of New Jersey is looking for,” said Bogdan. “It was eye opening for them to go through a practice like this, and we’ll continue to do this once a semester so they can see what they’ve improved upon.”
“This initiative shows how faculty are using their professional expertise to support student learning and career preparation,” said Jin Wang, Ph.D., dean of Kean’s College of Business and Public Management. “The skills students gain through this training will empower them as future public safety professionals and as members of the Kean community.”
In addition to student-focused training, Thomas and Bogdan intend to expand the opportunity to the broader Kean community, and faculty interest has already been strong.
“Creating the ability for faculty to regularly take part in something like this would be phenomenal,” Thomas said. “So many faculty members have reached out and want to be involved and gain self-defense training.”
Bogdan said accessibility and wellness are central to their mission.
“I want to have every student and faculty member on campus to have the ability to participate in this,” Bogdan said. “This is a form of stress relief, and when you think about someone who may never have considered self-defense, to do it alongside friendly and familiar faces amongst their peers is much easier. We’re looking to initiate fitness for life and open opportunities for physical wellness.”
Thomas and Bogdan plan to continue offering sessions throughout the academic year, supporting students’ professional goals while fostering a greater sense of safety and confidence across campus.