Allison Rojek, M.A.
Instructor/Asst. Director of Virtual Degree Programs
Michigan State University
School of Criminal Justice
655 Auditorium Road
East Lansing, MI 48824
rojeka1@msu.edu
Allison Rojek is an instructor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Michigan State University and the Assistant Director of Virtual Degree Programs. She received her Master of Arts from the University of Missouri at St. Louis in 2006 and is a former crime/intelligence analyst. Her teaching interests focus on analyzing homicide, criminological theory, violent crime reduction, and crime analysis. She has worked with law enforcement agencies across the country on violent crime reduction programs as well as other grant-funded research to inform criminal justice policy. Ms. Rojek also serves as a Criminologist with the Michigan State Police First District Cold Case Unit.
Kelly Hodges
Cold Case Analyst
Michigan State Police
Cold Case Unit
Canal Road
First District, Lansing, MI
hodgesk4@michigan.gov
Kelly Hodges is a Cold Case Analyst for the Michigan State Police, where she collaborates with investigators statewide to solve unsolved crimes. With a comprehensive background in homicide investigations, narcotics, trafficking, and major cases, Kelly brings a wealth of expertise to her role.
Upon receiving her bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University, Kelly served as an Intelligence Analyst for the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety and a Narcotics Analyst for the Michigan State Police. These roles allowed her to develop specialized skills in handling complex criminal investigations, ranging from drug trafficking to homicide cases.
With seven years of experience in law enforcement analysis, Kelly has built a strong career focused on tackling some of the most challenging and unresolved cases in the field. Her work demonstrates a deep commitment to justice and solving complex criminal cases.
Larry Rothman
Detective Sergeant
Michigan State Police
Cold Case Unit
Canal Road
First District, Lansing, MI
RothmanL@michigan.gov
Detective Sergeant Larry Rothman has been with the Michigan State Police since 1999 and has held numerous roles throughout his career. Detective Sergeant Rothman has over 23 years of investigative experience. In 2020 he partnered with the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University to form a collaboration in an attempt to address cold case homicides. This collaboration has provided numerous benefits to both the Michigan State Police as well as to the students and faculty at Michigan State University. With close supervision the students are able to organize, digitize, and index each case giving investigators valuable insight and manpower. This collaboration has been duplicated with the Michigan State Police partnering with other universities throughout the State of Michigan.
Detective Sergeant Rothman earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Forensics and Cyberterrorism from Utica College in New York and completed a certification course in Investigative Psychology from John Jay School of Criminal Justice in New York.
Shannon Thielen
Detective
Lansing Police Department
Cold Case Homicide Unit
120 W. Michigan Ave.
Lansing, MI 48933
Shannon.Thielen@lansingmi.gov
Shannon Thielen is a dedicated detective in the Cold Case Homicide Unit within the Lansing Police Department’s Investigations Division. With a career spanning over two decades, she been an integral part of the department since 2003. In 2012, Detective Thielen was promoted to the Investigations Division, Special Victims Unit, where she specialized in crimes against children for seven years, honing her investigative skills and commitment to justice.
In her current role, she focuses on unsolved homicides and long-term missing persons cases. She also works with Michigan State University cold case interns, fostering an unconventional yet innovative partnership to pursue the truth. Together, they leverage resources and collaborate in a race against time to uncover new evidence and bring answers to victims’ families.
Known for thinking outside the box, Detective Thielen approaches her work with creativity and a fresh perspective. Her approach to success is grounded in realism- understanding that not every cold case can be solved, but always striving to advance the investigation in new ways. Whether it’s moving a case into the digital era or reestablishing contact with a victim’s family, she measures success through progress, compassion, and the pursuit of truth.
Detective Thielen earned her Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University in 2000 and continues to apply her knowledge and dedication to her work within the Lansing Police Department.