Credit: Photo by Steve Lemmons, Temple College
Carrie Ellis was sworn in Monday as the Chief of Police for Temple College at the April meeting of the Temple College Board of Trustees. At the same meeting, the College honored retiring Chief Michael Markum the Distinguished Leadership and Service Award for 20 years of service.
Ellis brings 29 years of law enforcement and leadership experience to Temple College. She comes to Temple College from the Willow Park Police Department, where she served as chief of police since February 2017 and elevated the agency to the level of “Accredited Agency” with the Texas Police Chiefs Association in 2020.
“Chief Ellis brings exceptional leadership and vision to the Temple College Police Department. I am thrilled to have her joining the Temple College team and excited to have such an innovative chief to lead the department at a time of significant growth and change for the College,” said Brandon Bozon, Temple College’s Vice President of Administrative Services.
Ellis holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree from Midwestern State University and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. She holds a Master Peace Officer Certificate and Basic Instructor Certificate from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
She is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and serves as secretary on the Board of Officers of the Texas Police Chiefs Association as well as chairperson of the Women’s Law Enforcement Executive Committee of the Texas Police Chiefs Association.
“I am excited for the opportunity with Temple College and look forward to building upon the foundation of previous successes to ensure that Temple College is a safe place to learn and work,” Ellis said. “I am proud to be part of the Temple College community and looking forward to the College’s bright future.”
Ellis succeeds retiring Chief of Police Michael Markum, who began his service to the Temple College Police Department in 2002 and has served as its Chief of Police since 2013.
During the meeting, Markum was awarded Temple College’s Distinguished Leadership and Service Award.
“The Temple College family is extremely grateful for Chief Markum and his service,” Bozon said. “Chief Markum did great work to advance the department during his tenure and strove each day to ensure everyone that set foot on the Temple College campus felt safe and welcomed. We are sad to see him go but wish him the very best in his well-earned retirement.”
Credit: Photo by Steve Lemmons, Temple College
ABOUT TEMPLE COLLEGE
Temple College is “Your Community’s College, a dynamic and growing community college that equips thousands of students throughout Central Texas and beyond with the knowledge and skills for 21st-century success. Temple College offers more than 75 degree and certificate programs to students who seek to earn credits for transfer, graduate with an associate degree, or complete a certificate for fast entry into the workforce.
Founded in 1926, Temple College has enjoyed an excellent academic reputation for 97 years. It is nationally recognized for excellence in its programs, from visual and performing arts to competitive athletics. The College has become one of the state’s premiere institutions for health care providers’ education and training, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development programs. The faculty and staff are committed to providing exceptional quality instruction.