Brooks Institute

Named after Kansas City crime and justice advocate Alvin Brooks, the Brooks Institute/Center of Excellence is an initiative centered on crime prevention, criminal justice and contemporary issues associated with violence.

The Brooks Institute is dedicated to developing the leaders of tomorrow by making it possible for students to travel to historic civil rights sites. By doing so, it creates a greater understanding of the value of positive race relations along with the sacrifices that were made to promote justice.

The Center of Excellence:

  • Expands on the criminal justice curriculum at MCC-Penn Valley.
  • Creates service learning and internships in collaboration of the Ad Hoc Group Against Crime.
  • Develops lecture series inviting local and national speakers to engage the community in the development of action steps.
  • Creates a Midwest think tank on crime and violence.
  • Becomes multifaceted to include research on various topics of crime and violence, policy development around crime for review by local leadership and the preparation of students for various positions and jobs beyond traditional criminal justice positions.
  • Actively engages students and the community in discussion on crime that can guide them in their roles and responsibilities in creating a more safe and productive community.

About Alvin Brooks:

Alvin Brooks has been actively involved with Metropolitan Community College since the early 1950s. He was an alumnus of the last segregated class before Lincoln Junior College became part of the Junior College of Kansas City (now MCC).

For information on the Brooks Institute, contact Karen Curls 816.604.4284