Dr. Mari Kong is a scholar-practitioner dedicated to transforming the culture of policing and promoting equity in organizations and communities. A retired San Diego Police Department officer, she has firsthand experience in the challenges and opportunities within law enforcement. Those experiences sparked her lifelong commitment to making policing more inclusive and reflective of the communities it serves. Today, Dr. Kong teaches graduate and undergraduate students as an Adjunct Professor at USC Bovard College and UMass Global, where she helps shape the next generation of leaders in criminal justice and organizational systems. Her research explores the lived experiences of women of color in policing, focusing on how diversity and belonging can strengthen institutions. She holds advanced degrees in Human and Organizational Systems, including a Ph.D. from Fielding Graduate University, and an M.A. in Criminal Justice from Chapman University.
Outside of her professional work, Mari enjoys surfing and spending time with her niece in Hawaii — grounding her in the values of family, resilience, and joy that she brings to her work in justice and inclusion.
Outside of her professional work, Mari enjoys surfing and spending time with her niece in Hawaii — grounding her in the values of family, resilience, and joy that she brings to her work in justice and inclusion.
