Breaking Barriers: Robert Bullock Brings Higher Education to Incarcerated Students

By: Amanda Graves

Photos Provided

Robert (Bob) Bullock’s classroom is painted in school colors, inspirational quotes line the walls, and, today, it’s filled with students eager to learn. This all sounds pretty conventional of a college classroom— the only difference is his long walk through security and the corrections officers who are always present. As an adjunct business professor for SUNY Adirondack (ADK), Bob teaches classes to people serving time in the Washington Correctional Facility. Despite the unusual circumstances of his students, his classes are the same as those taught at any other school, and his students excel in their studies. 

Bob studied economic geography at SUNY Potsdam, earning his bachelor’s degree. After graduating, he started to think about a career and the military was extremely appealing to him. “Every generation of my family going back to the war of 1812 had been a commissioned military officer either in the British Army or in the United States Army,” Bob shared, “So being in the military going back to the war of 1812 was an important part of my family legacy.” His father and grandfather had both graduated from West Point, and Bob decided he wanted to continue his family’s history of service. After making his decision to join, he talked with some recruiters and decided that the Air Force was the right fit for him. “It really sounded like something that was tailor made for me and they weren’t wrong,” Bob explained, “I was looking for a career that was going to give me a great deal of responsibility and an opportunity to lead or to command.” 

In 1979, Bob graduated as a lieutenant from the Air Force Officers Training School in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating, he worked as a public affairs officer; working with reporters, government officials, and community officials to help them understand the missions of his organizations. He was first stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah where he worked on the 388th Fighter Wing for two years. He was then transferred to Sumter, South Carolina where he was assigned to a 363rd tactical fighter wing. He also spent time in Saudi Arabia where he was assigned to the Airborne Warning and Control Systems Program (AWACS). This program provided military support to the government of Saudi Arabia during the Iran-Iraq War, protecting the oil refineries. When he returned to America, he went into the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), meaning he was no longer in active duty, but could be called upon in the future should the military need him. Every year, he went to the 109th Airlift Wing to register for the IRR. On one of these occasions, he found himself talking to a few officials that were looking for a public affairs officer. Missing service, Bob returned in 1994 and was commissioned as a Captain. He was assigned to the U.S. Arctic research program. He also worked as the public affairs officer for the New York Air National Guard, the largest state Air National Guard program. After his 20 years of service, Bob retired as a lieutenant colonel. “I had the most amazing career and I think that the greatest testimony to the quality of one’s service is your interest and belief in the mission of the military after you leave it and also the friendships that you’ve made along the way,” he said. 

During his civilian career, Bob had several jobs, the first being the Director of Institutional Advancement at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library. He then became the President of the NYS Archives Partnership Trust. A few years later, he became the Deputy Director for the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government. He has also worked as the Chief Operating Officer for the Make-A-Wish foundation. After his civilian career, Bob found himself in the position to retire. But a call from John Jablonski, the vice president of academic affairs for SUNY Adirondack, would change that. John asked if he would be interested in teaching a few classes. Bob initially began teaching two classes, one of which was at Washington Correctional Facility. “I loved that program because I had done teaching at McGregor Correctional Facility,” explained Bob, “I enjoyed my work at McGregor so I kind of became a prison specialist and now teach six separate courses over the course of the year in our associate degree program.” His work and experience earned him the title of prison education coordinator for SUNY ADK, where he continues to help lead and educate those behind bars. His courses cover a variety of different topics including management, marketing, consumer behavior, human resources management, small business management, social media, advertising, and promotion. He also manages the freshman seminar which is designed to help those just beginning their academic career adjust to the school environment. 

Despite their situation, Bob’s students receive the same high quality education, and are given the opportunity to earn a degree like any other college student. “The different part is just where you are,” explained Bob, “I have to go through four different gates to actually get onto the facility and at the same time I’m surrounded by corrections officers who are there to ensure my safety.” However, SUNY ADK’s program focuses on providing the necessary classroom environment and resources to create a typical college setting. “What we endeavor to do is make this as normal a college experience as it can possibly be,” explained Bob. With a collaborative teaching style, Bob enjoys hearing what his students think about different topics, and encourages them to participate in discussions about what they are learning. “For me, it’s having that class where all of a sudden you are getting as much back from the students as you’re giving them,” he shared. Recently, he earned the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching based on feedback that the chair of the business division had received from Bob’s students and how much he cares about what he teaches.

Outside of the classroom Bob works part-time as a polo announcer for the Farmington Polo Club in Farmington, Connecticut. He also loves reading business books and staying up to date on what is occurring in the world and how he can incorporate it into his classes. Continuing with his passion for business, Bob heads SUNY ADK’s program Start-Up ADK. This program provides training to entrepreneurs looking to start their own business. He also enjoys activities like golf, bilking, and tennis. “I just try to stay in good shape because I would like to be teaching for many years to come,” said Bob.