Correctional Management Institute of Texas
Assumes Secretariat Services

Christie Davidson

The Institute, a part of the Sam Houston State University Criminal Justice Center, is charged with developing and delivering professional education, management development, and training programs for personnel in juvenile and adult community and institutional corrections agencies.

Dan Richard Beto, executive director of the institute, and Christie Davidson, program coordinator, met with TACA's board in Houston on July 9, to discuss a professional relationship between the two entities.

TACA is a professional organization with a membership of over 500 court administrators, managers, coordinators, court support personnel, and judges throughout the State of Texas. The organization's purpose is to promote continuing education and maintain professional standards for court administration and to aid in identifying the needs of courts and their administrative personnel in improving the administration of justice.

TACA also provides professional development scholarships to its members and to students pursuing careers in the administration of justice.

"This is a great step forward for our association as we are now joined as partners with a highly esteemed criminal justice program," said Sylvia Noriega, chair of TACA's board of directors.

"The criminal justice program at Sam Houston State University is known for its efforts at fostering strong relationships with justice practitioners," said Davidson, who will manage TACA.

"Providing secretariat services to TACA is certainly in keeping with the mission of the Criminal Justice Center and the Institute," she added. "We are excited about working with Texas court administrative personnel."

In addition to managing the day to day operations of the association, the Institute will produce TACA's quarterly publication, designed to keep the membership informed of recent developments in the field of court administration, changes in case law that may impact the administrative procedures of trial courts, and innovative programs and initiatives implemented by local courts.

The Institute will also be involved in the association's annual education conference, where participants are provided at least 16 hours of continuing education focused on developments in the field and new technologies that may be applied to the trial court environment.

The Institute provides secretariat services to several other professional organizations, including the Texas Probation Association, Texas Jail Association, and the National Association of Probation Executives.

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SHSU Media Contact: Julia May
July 23, 2002
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