News
Advancing Justice: MSU Researchers Work to Improve the Criminal Justice Response to Sexual Assault
September 7, 2023 - JJ Thomas
Dr. Karen Holt and Allison Rojek have received funding from the Michigan State Police to work on the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) in Michigan. This national initiative seeks to bring justice to survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.
Bridging the Gap: Dr. Carter and Dr. Dorn Join Task Teams To Advance Law Enforcement Intelligence
August 9, 2023 - JJ Thomas
Dr. David Carter and Dr. Shelagh Dorn have been asked to serve on newly formed “task teams” in partnership with the Criminal Intelligence Coordinating Council to rapidly advance the current capabilities of law enforcement intelligence.
Youth Equity Project researchers continue working to reduce youth disparities in Lansing
August 7, 2023 - Emily Jodway
Researchers affiliated with the College of Social Science’s Youth Equity Project are entering the second phase of their investigation into youth violence in Lansing and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Saginaw Police Department and Criminal Justice Researchers Partner On Front Porch Roll Calls Program
August 2, 2023 - JJ Thomas
With the help of a team of researchers from the School of Criminal Justice at MSU, the Saginaw Police Department (SPD) is working to improve community relations and increase transparency by holding regular “Front Porch Roll Calls” to engage local communities impacted by high rates of crime.
Flint Study Away Internship Spotlight - Hannah Hawes
August 1, 2023 - JJ Thomas
Hannah Hawes is a junior at MSU studying Criminal Justice (with minors in Law, Justice, and Public Policy, as well as Philosophy of Law) who has been interning at the Genesee County Office of the Public Defender.
Flint Study Away Internship Spotlight - Hailey Ijlal
July 26, 2023 - JJ Thomas
Hailey Ijlal is a senior at MSU studying Criminal Justice (with minors in Law, Justice, and Public Policy and Business) who has spent the summer interning in the Office of the Genesee County Prosecuting Attorney.
Dr. Gibbs Named Interim Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
July 18, 2023 - JJ Thomas
Dr. Carole Gibbs, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, has been named the College of Social Science Interim Associate Dean for Graduate Studies.
DOJ Grant Awarded to Build Public Trust & Reduce Violent Crime
June 26, 2023 - Linda Nubani
Michigan State University is awarded a grant along with the City of Detroit Police Department to Enhance Community Safety and Reduce Crime.
Dr. Morash Named University Distinguished Professor
June 21, 2023 - JJ Thomas
In recognition of her excellence in teaching, research, and public service, Dr. Merry Morash has been named a University Distinguished Professor.
Dr. Scott Wolfe Promoted to Full Professor
June 21, 2023 - JJ Thomas
The School of Criminal Justice would like to congratulate Dr. Scott Wolfe on being promoted to Full Professor!
Dr. Holt Named DEI Coordinator
June 20, 2023 - JJ Thomas
Dr. Karen Holt has been named the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator for the School of Criminal Justice.
Team of MSU Researchers win Neuner Award for Excellence in Professional Scholarly Publication
May 24, 2023 - JJ Thomas
Dr. Carole Gibbs was part of a team of MSU Researchers who won the Neuner Award for Excellence in Professional Scholarly Publication.
Samantha Verlinden: 2023 Outstanding Senior
May 10, 2023
Samantha Verlinden has been named the 2023 Criminal Justice Outstanding Senior in recognition of her academic achievements, involvement in student groups, and professional development activities while a student at MSU.
Leeslie Shakira Herrera Receives 2023 Aguila Award
May 8, 2023
Leeslie Shakira Herrera is a Senior studying Criminal Justice and the recipient of a 2023 César E. Chávez and Dolores Huerta Community Leadership Aguila Award.
Marcia Thompson: Turning Purpose and Passion Into a Career
April 27, 2023
Marcia Thompson is a School of Criminal Justice Alum and Director of Community Innovation at Amazon.
Dr. Karen Holt & Alli Rojek Receive Innovative Teaching Award
April 24, 2023
Dr. Karen Holt & Alli Rojek have received the 2023 College of Social Science Teaching Innovation Award for their work on the MSU-MSP Cold Case Collaboration.
Protecting Your Alma Mater: An Interview with Chief Rozman
April 17, 2023
In March 2023, the Michigan State University Department of Police and Public Safety appointed Chris Rozman as the department’s new Chief of Police.
Project Safe Neighborhoods Systematic Review
April 12, 2023
A team of researchers from Sam Houston State University conducted a systematic review of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative. Dr. Yan Zhang and Dr. Jason Ingram are MSU graduates. Listen to their findings below!
Cybercrime: Victim or Offender?
April 4, 2023
The technological revolution of the 21st century has created opportunities that were not available twenty years ago. Unfortunately, the rise of the internet has also enabled the rise of cybercrime.
Graduate Student Spotlight: Caitie Ladd
April 3, 2023
Caitie Ladd is a graduate student in the Masters in Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysis (LEIA) Program.
Environmental Regulations in the Philippines
March 30, 2023
Dr. Maxwell received the Fulbright Fellowship to advance her research work to understand a population’s acceptance, trust, and compliance to environmental regulations enacted by their government. While in the Philippines, she is applying her research on environmental regulations to marine protected areas.
Kayla Hoskins Accepts Postdoc position with the Yale School of Medicine
March 27, 2023
Kayla Hoskins, PhD Candidate (ABD), in the School of Criminal Justice has accepted a T32 Postdoctoral Fellow position with the Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Prevention and Community Research.
Introducing The Police Staffing Observatory
March 6, 2023
The Police Staffing Observatory is a collaborative effort consisting of over two dozen researchers and practitioners working together to advance police workforce knowledge and application through innovative research and collaboration between researchers and practitioners in the field.
Online Masters in Criminal Justice program ranked 6th in Nation
January 25, 2023
The College of Social Science’s online master’s program in criminal justice ranked No. 6 in the nation. It has consistently been in the top 10 since 2017.
Dr. Joe Hamm named Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Trust Research
January 12, 2023
Dr. Joe Hamm has been named the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Trust Research.
Improving Understanding of Community-Based Violence Reduction and Neighborhood Safety
January 11, 2023
A team of researchers in the School of Criminal Justice received funding from the MSU College of Social Science as part of the Strategic Partnership Grants Program to improve understanding of community-based violence reduction and neighborhood safety.
Alyssa LaBerge Receives Hiram E. Fitzgerald Engaged Scholar Fellowship
December 22, 2022
Criminal Justice Doctoral Student Alyssa LaBerge has received the Hiram E. Fitzgerald Engaged Scholar Fellowship from The Graduate School at Michigan State University.
Criminal Justice research team working to better understand the Incel Community
December 21, 2022
Criminal Justice research team working to better understand the Incel Community
Criminal Justice professor to lead one of the largest, most comprehensive assessments of police staffing
December 19, 2022
Criminal Justice professor to lead one of the largest, most comprehensive assessments of police staffing
Undergraduate Student Spotlight: Taryn Morikawa
December 13, 2022
Taryn Morikawa is an Undergraduate Student in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University.
Student view: The importance of academic research, alumni connections
December 7, 2022 - Ryan Weinberg
Ryan Weinberg is a dual political science and criminal justice senior in the College of Social Science where she is a Social Science Scholar and a Political Science Scholar.
A-CAPP Student Interns Receive Awards and Recognition at 2022 George Mason University Hackathon
November 28, 2022 - Emily Jodway
Student interns of the Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection (A-CAPP) returned from the 2022 Bring Down Counterfeiting Public Policy Hackathon with awards for their research and innovation in global anti-counterfeiting solutions.
Ask The Expert: School Cyberattacks
November 22, 2022
Recently, Jackson Intermediate School District had to close all public schools in Jackson and Hillsdale counties for multiple days due to a cyberattack. Hackers utilized ransomware to gain control over the School District’s technological infrastructure.
Outstanding Social Science Undergraduates Receive Research Funding via PURI Grant Initiative
November 14, 2022 - Emily Jodway
The Fall 2022 Provost’s Undergraduate Research Initiative (PURI) grant recipients were announced this week, with a total of 51 undergraduate students from across the College of Social Science being awarded funding toward faculty-assisted research during the 2022-23 school year.
Student Research Opportunity: TRUSST Lab
November 9, 2022
The TRUSST Lab will be holding a series of Focus Groups for students at Michigan State University to discuss their experiences as students.
Alumni Spotlight: Dani Deetté
November 8, 2022
Dani Deetté is an alumni of the School of Criminal Justice and an actor on multiple hit TV shows.
Graduate Student Spotlight: Esmeralda Portillo
November 3, 2022
Esmeralda Portillo is a Graduate Student in the School of Criminal Justice, completing her Masters Degree in Criminal Justice.
MSU SCJ @ ASC!
October 28, 2022
A full list of all the MSU School of Criminal Justice Speakers attending ASC!
Dr. Scrivens Wins Early Career Impact Award
October 26, 2022
Dr. Ryan Scrivens has been named the recipient of the 2022 ASC Division on Terrorism and Bias Crime's Early Career Impact Award!
Dr. Holt Wins Outstanding Contribution Award
October 14, 2022
Dr. Tom Holt has received the Outstanding Contribution Award from the ASC Division on Cybercrime.
Building Trust Among Communities and Agencies
September 15, 2022
Practitioners from multiple Universities are partnering with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to address the social and environmental impacts of contaminants.
Social Scientists Partner on Youth Violence Study in Lansing
August 29, 2022 - Emily Jodway
Carole Gibbs and Jennifer Cobbina of the College of Social Science’s Criminal Justice department, along with Psychology research associate Sean Hankins, are in the midst of conducting an ongoing research project with adolescents in the Lansing community.
Steve Francis: 2020 Wall of Fame Inductee
July 28, 2022
Steve Francis is an inductee into the 2020 Criminal Justice Wall of Fame and the Acting Executive Associate Director of Homeland Security Investigations.
Tim Plancon: 2021 Wall of Fame Inductee
July 26, 2022
Tim Plancon recently retired as the Assistant Administrator, Chief of Operational Support for the US Drug Enforcement Administration and is an inductee into the 2021 Criminal Justice Wall of Fame.
Dr. Cobbina-Dungy Becomes First Black Full Professor in School
July 12, 2022
Dr. Jennifer Cobbina-Dungy has been named a Full Professor, making her the first Black Full Professor in the School of Criminal Justice.
Dr. Sheila Maxwell Receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award
June 30, 2022
Dr. Sheila Maxwell Receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to research governance for environmental sustainability.
Dr. Zeoli Writes Op-Ed For Wall Street Journal
June 20, 2022
Dr. April Zeoli has written an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal regarding Red Flag Laws.
MSU and MSP Partner To Investigate Cold Cases
May 23, 2022
The School of Criminal Justice at MSU and the Michigan State Police are collaborating on a cold case unit that pairs students with cold case detectives, criminologists, and experts in the fields related to criminal justice.
Scott Lindahl: 2020 Wall of Fame Inductee
May 18, 2022
Scott Lindahl is an inductee into the 2020 Criminal Justice Wall of Fame and Vice President of Corporate Services at Kellogg.
Dr. Chris Melde Named School of Criminal Justice Director
May 16, 2022
Dr. Chris Melde has been named the 10th Director of the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University.
Increasing Diversity in SCJ Graduate Programs
May 11, 2022
A team of researchers in the School of Criminal Justice received funding from the MSU Graduate School under the Prospective Doctoral Student Recruitment and Retention Program to enhance inclusion and retention of students from underrepresented groups in the Master’s and Doctoral programs.
Dr. Chris Smith: 2021 Wall of Fame Inductee
May 10, 2022
Dr. Christopher Smith is a 2021 inductee into the School of Criminal Justice Wall of Fame and a Professor at MSU since 1994.
Steve Cerutti: 2020 Wall of Fame Inductee
April 15, 2022
*Steve Cerutti is an inductee into the 2020 Criminal Justice Wall of Fame*
Ryan Okerstrom: 2021 Wall of Fame Inductee
April 12, 2022
Ryan B. Okerstrom is an inductee into the 2021 Criminal Justice Wall of Fame and the Vice President of Operations for Huffmaster Crisis Response, Inc.
Dr. Wilson Joins Board of Directors for NCPC
April 11, 2022
Dr. Jeremy Wilson has joined the Board of Directors for the National Crime Prevention Council after being unanimously approved.
COLD CASE: MSU Students, State Police and Retired SPD Officers Investigating 41-Year-Old Murder
April 8, 2022 - Tran Longmoore
A group of MSU Criminal Justice students is working with the Michigan State Police on solving a 41-year-old Cold Case.
Dr. Zwickle Receives Excellence Award
March 14, 2022
Dr. Adam Zwickle has received the Excellence Award in Interdisciplinary Scholarship from the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, MSU Chapter.
MSU Researchers Conduct Independent Study of MSP
January 20, 2022
A team of researchers from Michigan State University were commissioned by the Michigan State Police to conduct an independent study analyzing data from traffic stops initiated by State Troopers in 2020
Dr. Cavanagh Receives Tory J. Caeti Award
January 14, 2022
Dr. Caitlin Cavanagh has received the Tory J. Caeti Award from the ACJS Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Section
Dr. Kutnjak Receives ACJS Award
January 12, 2022
Dr. Sanja Kutnjak has received the ACJS International Section Outstanding Book Award
Diversity Torch: Harnoor Kaur
December 20, 2021 - College of Social Science
Harnoor Kaur is a third-year MSU College of Social Science student majoring in Criminal Justice and Political Science, with minors in History, Peace and Justice studies, and Law Justice and Public Policy. Originally from India, Harnoor became a Spartan social scientist after discovering her passion for human rights and discovering opportunities to do work in this area at Michigan State University.
Dr. Cavanagh Receives ACJS Award
December 14, 2021
Dr. Cait Cavanagh has received the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences New Scholar Award!
Too Good To Be True
December 8, 2021 - Shaun Tai and Jason Son
Counterfeiting is an ongoing and constantly changing challenge that both consumers and brands must confront. As technologies, products, and laws continue to change, it is crucial that consumers educate themselves about the potential dangers of purchasing counterfeit goods to safeguard themselves from unnecessary harms and make an informed decision while enjoying shopping during this holiday season.
Avoiding Counterfeit Items This Holiday Season
December 2, 2021 - Lisa Moore
With the Holiday Season fast approaching, we are speaking with experts within the School of Criminal Justice to learn how we can keep our information safe and avoid scams. Today we hear from Criminal Justice Graduate Student Lisa Moore on how to avoid counterfeit products.
New Study Focuses on Keeping Intimate Partner Violence Survivors Safe
December 1, 2021
Dr. Chris Maxwell is part of a research team that was recently awarded $3.3 million to study how to keep survivors of intimate partner violence safe.
Dr. Holt and Brenna Helm Receive Award
November 29, 2021
Dr. Karen Holt & Brenna Helm received the 2021-2022 Creating Inclusive Excellence Grant
Cybercrime: How To Keep Your Information Safe This Holiday Season
November 23, 2021
With the Holiday Season fast approaching, we are speaking with experts within the School of Criminal Justice to learn how we can keep our information safe and avoid scams. Today, we hear from Dr. Tom Holt on how to protect our information from cybercriminals.
Dr. Zeoli Featured in The Problem with Jon Stewart
November 18, 2021
Dr. April Zeoli was featured on a recent episode of The Problem with Jon Stewart discussing the link between domestic violence and gun violence.
Vulnerability and Trust
November 9, 2021
Dr. Joe Hamm recently participated in a RMI Research Seminar where he discussed Vulnerability and Trust.
Dr. Jennifer Cobbina-Dungy Receives Award From UMSL
October 18, 2021
Dr. Jennifer Cobbina-Dungy was recognized as a distinguished alumni from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Dr. Karen Holt Receives Faculty Award
October 17, 2021
Dr. Karen Holt has received the Faculty Award from the Delta Tau Lambda Sorority, Eta Chapter.
Dr. Chermak Receives Distinguished Scholar Award from ASC DTBC
October 14, 2021
Dr. Steve Chermak has received the American Society of Criminology (ASC) Division on Terrorism and Bias Crimes' 2021 Distinguished Scholar Award!
Dr. DeJong Receives ASC Teaching Award
October 13, 2021
Dr. Christina DeJong has received the American Society of Criminology (ASC) Teaching Award for her commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate level teaching throughout her academic career.
Diversity Spotlight: Jess Truong
May 26, 2021
Jess Truong is a Junior at Michigan State University majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in Law and Public Policy, Security Risk Management, and Computer Science.
Ask The Expert: Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Attack
May 11, 2021
Dr. Tom Holt answers questions about the recent Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack.
Interview with Alexandra Gormely: Criminal Justice Outstanding Senior
May 5, 2021
Alexandra Gormely has been named the 2021 Criminal Justice Outstanding Senior.
Dr. Cavanagh Receives Early Career Research Contribution Award
April 12, 2021
Dr. Caitlin Cavanagh recently received the Early Career Research Contribution Award from the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD). This award is the Society’s most prestigious award for early career developmental psychologists.
Diversity Spotlight: Jay Kennedy
February 23, 2021
Dr. Jay Kennedy is an Assistant Professor in the School of Criminal Justice and Assistant Director of Research for the A-CAPP Center at MSU.
Diversity Spotlight: Devin McClenton
February 19, 2021
Devin McClenton is an alumni of the School of Criminal Justice who is part of Facebook's IP Escalation Team.
Diversity Spotlight: Jennifer Cobbina
February 16, 2021
Jennifer Cobbina is an Associate Professor in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University. Her primary research focuses on the issue of corrections, prisoner reentry and the understanding of recidivism and desistance among recently released female offenders.
An Interview With Incoming MSUPD Chief Marlon Lynch
February 5, 2021
We recently sat down with Criminal Justice alumnus Marlon Lynch, incoming MSU Vice President of Public Safety and Chief of the MSU Police Department.
Diversity Spotlight: Kaelyn Sanders
February 4, 2021
Kaelyn Sanders is a Doctoral Student in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University who's research interests focus on justice-involved women and their life stories.
Online Masters in Criminal Justice Program Among Best In The Nation
January 26, 2021
The Online Masters Program in Criminal Justice has been ranked #5 in U.S. News & World Report's Top 10 rankings!
A Conversation with Dave Porteous
January 21, 2021
Dr. Tom Holt sat down with Criminal Justice alumnus Dave Porteous for an Ask-Me-Anything style discussion to learn more about his career and thoughts on what current students can do to succeed in the field.
Congratulations Dr. John Hudzik!
January 20, 2021
The School of Criminal Justice recognizes Professor John Hudzik for his hard work and dedication to Michigan State University and Higher Education globally.
Dr. David Carter on the Recent Riots at the Capitol
January 8, 2021
Dr. David Carter, an expert on Law Enforcement Intelligence and Violent Crime Control, discusses the riots at the United States Capitol.
Undergraduate Student Spotlight: Caitie Ladd
January 8, 2021
Caitie Ladd is a Junior at Michigan State University studying Criminal Justice and a member of the Michigan State University Spartan Softball team.
Dr. Chermak Receives ACJS Outstanding Mentor Award
January 4, 2021
Dr. Steve Chermak has received the ACJS Outstanding Mentor Award.
To Our Fall 2020 Graduates
December 18, 2020
Congratulations to our Fall 2020 graduates! We are proud to soon call you alumni as you join over 12,000 other Criminal Justice alumni working to #AdvanceJustice.
Dr. Holt on Recent U.S. Cyberattack
December 15, 2020
The United States recently announced that they were among the many countries and organizations targeted in an ongoing cyberattack that likely originated as far back as March or June of 2020.
Dr. Chermak On Two Research Teams with NIJ Funding
November 5, 2020
Dr. Steve Chermak is part of two different research teams that received funding from the National Institute of Justice.
Dr. Cobbina Receives Coramae Richey Mann Award
November 4, 2020
Dr. Jennifer Cobbina has received the ASC Division on People of Color and Crime Coramae Richey Mann Award for her contributions of scholarship on race, ethnicity, crime, and justice.
Public Safety Memorial: Trooper Caleb Starr
October 19, 2020
Please join us in remembering the life of Trooper Starr.
Preventing Ideologically Motivated Cyberattacks and Online Violence
October 16, 2020
Dr. Tom Holt and Dr. Steve Chermak have partnered with Dr. Joshua Freilich (John Jay College) for their project Assessing the Life Histories and Background of Ideologically Motivated Actors Engaging in Cyberattacks and Online Violence.
Scrivens & Chermak Receive Funding to Conduct a Campbell Systematic Review
October 13, 2020
Dr. Ryan Scrivens and Dr. Steve Chermak are teaming up with researchers from the U.S., Canada, and Australia on a one-year project titled Scientific Knowledge and Approaches to Defining and Measuring Hate Crime, Hate Speech and Hate Incidents.
Diversity Spotlight: Anna Semidei
October 12, 2020
Anna Semidei is a Junior studying Criminal Justice and Spanish at Michigan State University.
Diversity Spotlight: Dr. Karen Holt
October 6, 2020
In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month we are featuring some of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni who are working to advance justice. This feature is about Assistant Professor Dr. Karen Holt.
Undergraduate Student Spotlight: Ryan Dennany
September 21, 2020
Ryan Dennany is a Junior at Michigan State University who joined the School of Criminal Justice in 2018 after serving in the United States Army.
Alumni Spotlight Series: Nicole Thompson
August 14, 2020
Nicole Thompson is an alumni of the School of Criminal Justice and Administrative Lieutenant at the Oakland University Police Department. Recently, she was selected for the Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 Under 40 Class of 2020.
Ariel Roddy Receives Award From ASC Division on Women and Crime
July 2, 2020
Ariel Roddy received an award from the ASC Division on Women and Crime for her proposal: Social Capital, Spatial Mismatch, and Employment for Women Offenders.
Dr. Hamm & Dr. Zwickle Awarded Tenure
June 26, 2020
Dr. Joe Hamm and Dr. Adam Zwickle have been awarded tenure.
Undergraduate Student Spotlight: Kaylee Kern
June 12, 2020
Kaylee Kern is a student at Michigan State University studying Accounting and Criminal Justice.
Identifying Extremism In Online Forums
June 11, 2020
People engaging in violent extremism are connecting and communicating online. Identifying these individuals through their posting behaviors may help prevent future physical violence.
A Message from SCJ on Recent Disturbing Events
June 1, 2020
In light of recent, disturbing events the School of Criminal Justice has issued a message to its members reaffirming our commitment to our role as an allies and advocates.
How COVID-19 Is Impacting Prisons
May 29, 2020
Dr. Jennifer Cobbina discusses the impact COVID-19 is having on prisons.
Dr. Tom Holt Named School of Criminal Justice Director
May 15, 2020
Dr. Tom Holt has been named as the new Director of the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University.
Congratulations to the Class of 2020
May 1, 2020
Congratulations to the Class of 2020. Although the end of your collegiate career is not what you had originally expected, it does not diminish your accomplishments and we are proud of your success - go green!
Protecting Yourself From the Latest Internet Sex Crime
April 20, 2020
Researchers from Michigan State University released a study on "sextortion" - a less-known internet crime that poses a threat to adults and minors - that sheds light on the importance of protecting the public from online criminals.
Dr. DeJong Receives Teaching Innovation Award
April 16, 2020
Dr. Christina DeJong was awarded the College of Social Science Teaching Innovation Award.
Message from Interim Dean Designee Mary Finn
March 31, 2020
A message from Interim Dean Designee Mary Finn and Responsible Administrator April Zeoli
Dr. Mary Finn Recommended to be College of Social Science Interim Dean
March 25, 2020
MSU Interim Provost Terry Sullivan has recommended to the Board of Trustees that Dr. Mary Finn be named as the Interim Dean for the College of Social Science.
Graduate Student Spotlight: Jin Lee
March 17, 2020
Jin R. Lee is a Doctoral Student in the School of Criminal Justice, currently in his 3rd year of study.
Undergraduate Student Spotlight: Isaac Slajus
March 9, 2020
Isaac Slajus is a Senior studying Criminal Justice at Michigan State University with a minor in Conservation, Recreation, and Environmental Enforcement.
2020 Career Fair a Success
February 14, 2020
The 2020 Criminal Justice Career Fair allowed for over 80 agencies and nearly 400 students to interact, network, and obtain multiple open positions.
Meet Erinn Acland
February 7, 2020
Erinn Acland is a visiting doctoral student from the University of Toronto, working with Dr. Caitlin Cavanagh on research projects related to juvenile risk assessment and detention.
Applying Situational Crime Prevention to Mass Violence
January 20, 2020
Dr. Steve Chermak and Brent Klein (Doctoral Student) argue that Situational Crime Prevention (SCP) strategies could be applied to prevent mass violence and to mitigate the harms these types of crime causes.
Top 10 in Rankings
January 14, 2020
The School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University has ranked in the Top 10 when it comes to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Dr. Morash Receives Beal Outstanding Faculty Award
January 6, 2020
Dr. Merry Morash has been awarded the MSU William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award for her remarkable service to the University.
Undergraduate Student Spotlight: Jalon Nelson
December 11, 2019
Jalon Nelson is a Senior at Michigan State University studying Criminal Justice with a minor in Youth & Society.
Alumni Spotlight Series: Steve Cerutti
November 20, 2019
As a child, Steve Cerutti wanted to be a police officer or a soldier, throughout his career he became both.
Dr. John Hudzik Receives IEAA Award
November 1, 2019
School of Criminal Justice Professor, Dr. John Hudzik, was recently awarded the International Education Association of Australia's Excellence Award in recognition of his distinguished life-long contribution to international education on a global scale.
Undergraduate Student Spotlight: The Cole Twins
October 31, 2019
Maggie and Meghan Cole are Criminal Justice majors, on the Dean’s list, MSU Spartan Field Hockey teammates, want to work in law enforcement after graduating, have grandparents who were police officers, and are twins!
Faculty Spotlight Series: Chris Melde
October 29, 2019
Dr. Chris Melde is a Professor, Director of Graduate Studies, and Associate Director in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University. Chris’ research interests focus on youth violence issues, especially as they relate to prevention and intervention programming, street gangs, and youth perceptions of victimization risk.
Meet the 2019 Alpha Phi Sigma E-Board
October 22, 2019
Alpha Phi Sigma (APS) is the nationally recognized honor society for criminal justice students. With more than 250 chapters nationwide, APS is made up of student members who share a commitment to learning and improving the criminal justice field.
Fiona Chan Receives DOJ/NIJ Funding
October 14, 2019
MSU CJ Graduate Student Fiona Chan was recently awarded Department of Justice/National Institute of Justice funding for her research project titled: Enhancing Corporate Crime Enforcement with Machine Learning - A Multidisciplinary Risk Factor Approach.
Project Safe Neighborhoods International Exchange (1 Year Later)
October 11, 2019 - Heather Perez
Approximately one year ago, a delegation of 24 Chilean justice system representatives and community members visited Atlanta, Georgia to learn about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Georgia’s Project Safe Neighborhoods supported Drug Market Intervention (DMI) initiative in the English Avenue neighborhood.
Alumni Spotlight Series: Arielle Morgan
October 8, 2019
Arielle Morgan is a recent alumnus of the Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice who was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan.
Meet the 2019 ACJA E-Board
October 3, 2019
The American Criminal Justice Association (ACJA) is one of the many on-campus student groups that any student at Michigan State University can join.
Staff Spotlight Series: Tim Homberg
September 23, 2019
Tim Homberg is the Career Development Coordinator with the School of Criminal Justice and MSU Football Season Ticket holder since 1990.
School of Criminal Justice Crosses Town For a Showdown
September 5, 2019
The School of Criminal Justice attended the annual Crosstown Showdown between the Lansing Lugnuts and the MSU Spartan Baseball Team.
Dr. Zeoli Partaking in Congressional Briefing
September 3, 2019
Dr. April Zeoli has been asked to present on domestic violence, firearm restrictions, and mass shooters at the 2019 George Mason University Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy Congressional Briefing.
Undergraduate Student Spotlight: Nick Doyle
September 2, 2019
Nick Doyle is a sophomore at Michigan State University, an avid iced coffee lover, horror movie hater, and quadruplet…and yes, all three of his brothers also attend MSU!
MSU and Yale Social Scientists Team Up on $2 Million Grant to Study Firearms and Intimate Partner Violence
August 20, 2019 - Liz Schondelmayer
Social scientist Dr. Christopher Maxwell, a professor in the School of Criminal Justice, is collaborating with Dr. Tami Sullivan from the Yale University School of Medicine to better understand the relationship between the use of firearms and intimate partner violence.
Introducing Wally Wojciechowski
August 20, 2019
Wally Wojciechowski is an incoming Assistant Professor with the School of Criminal Justice, who will be teaching introductory Criminal Justice courses.
Introducing Ryan Scrivens
August 15, 2019
The School of Criminal Justice would like to welcome Assistant Professor Ryan Scrivens to the School! Dr. Scrivens joins us from Concordia University, where he was a Horizon Postdoctoral Fellow.
Graduate Student Spotlight: Christine Kwiatkowski
August 13, 2019
This month’s Graduate Student Spotlight highlights Christine Kwiatkowski, a dual PhD entering her 5th year. Christine is currently working towards a PhD in Criminal Justice and a PhD in Neuroscience.
Faculty Spotlight Series: Scott Wolfe
July 31, 2019
Dr. Scott Wolfe is an Associate Professor with the School of Criminal Justice whose research interests include policing, organizational justice, legitimacy, and criminological theory (specifically predictors of crime behavior).
Undergraduate Student Spotlight: Rachel Striks
July 24, 2019
Rachel Striks is a Senior at Michigan State University studying Criminal Justice with minors in Conservation, Recreation, and Environmental Enforcement and Leadership of Organizations.
Teeing Up "Fore" Scholarships
July 24, 2019
On Friday, 136 golfers braved the heat to tee off in the 37th Annual Tournament of Friendship at Wheatfield Valley Golf Course in Williamston, Michigan.
Dr. Melde Promoted To Full Professor
July 18, 2019
The School of Criminal Justice would like to congratulate Dr. Chris Melde on his recent promotion to Full Professor.
Staff Spotlight Series: Melissa Christle
July 8, 2019
Melissa Christle is the Graduate Secretary for the School of Criminal Justice, who will be celebrating her 20 year anniversary with the department in October, 2019!
Faculty Spotlight Series: Carole Gibbs
June 24, 2019
Dr. Carole Gibbs is an Associate Professor studying corporate crime and how context shapes decision making and crime from an interdisciplinary lens.
Derrick Franke Facilitates First Ever Taped Victim/Offender Dialogue in Indiana's History
June 21, 2019
Derrick Franke facilitated Indiana's first ever taped victim/offender dialogue as part of CNN's The Redemption Project.
Alumni Spotlight: Daniel Young
June 14, 2019
Dan Young is a passionate professional and inventor, developing philanthropist, and all-around nice guy. He is also an alumni of the School of Criminal Justice, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Circadian Risk, mentor, and movie buff.
Dr. Rojek & Dr. Wolfe Part of Team Commissioned By Phoenix Police
May 22, 2019
In 2018 the Phoenix Police Department saw a record breaking number of police shootings. Startled by the increase, the Phoenix police chief commissioned a report to try understanding why these shootings were happening.
Robert Peacock receives ACJS award
May 14, 2019
Doctoral graduate Robert Peacock was awarded the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences’ Michael C. Braswell / Routledge Outstanding Dissertation Award for his dissertation at the annual ACJS conference in March 2019.
Undergraduate Student Spotlight: Natalie Hix
May 3, 2019
Natalie Hix is a senior at Michigan State University dual majoring in Criminal Justice and Middle East Studies who hopes to work in the field of counterterrorism after graduation.
Congratulations 2019 Spring Graduates!
May 3, 2019
The School of Criminal Justice would like to congratulate our Spring 2019 graduates!
Wall of Fame 2019 Inductees
April 25, 2019
The School of Criminal Justice inducted three more alumni into the Wall of Fame on April 24th, 2019, Marlon Lynch, Thomas Brooks, and Dr. John Smykla.
The Even Darker Side of the Dark Web
April 22, 2019
Dr. Thomas Holt and Mikaela Wallin recently published their study on the firearms trade on the Dark Web. Little is known about the firearms trade on the Dark Web Photo of Thomas Holt– such little is known that Dr. Tom Holt likened it to a black hole.
McGarrell Receives College Award
April 19, 2019
School of Criminal Justice Professor Dr. Ed McGarrell was announced as the recipient of the College of Social Science Faculty Research Award.
6th Annual Conference on Cybercrime
April 19, 2019
The 6th Annual Interdisciplinary Conference on Cybercrime featured over twenty experts and industry leaders.
CJ Members Race Through Izzo Legacy 5K
April 16, 2019
The first ever Izzo Legacy Run/Walk took place on Saturday April 13th, raising nearly $25,000 for a range of charities including the MSU Student Food Bank and MSU Safe Place in addition to many more.
MSU ACJA Professional Weekend
April 10, 2019
Students from ACJA, one of the School of Criminal Justice's student organizations, hosted a professional weekend trip to Detroit, Michigan.
Undergraduate Student Spotlight: Hazal Bulut & Casey Guthrie
April 8, 2019
Hazal Bulut & Casey Guthrie, Juniors at Michigan State University, studied abroad in Warsaw, Poland over the Summer of 2018.
Dr. Liebler is an ISS Teaching Excellence Award Finalist
April 4, 2019
Dr. Liebler was announced as a finalist for an ISS Teaching Excellence Award.
Top 10
March 19, 2019
For the second year in a row, our online master's program in Criminal Justice is ranked #10 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report!
2019 Career Fair a Success
February 22, 2019
The 2019 Criminal Justice Career Fair was one of our best yet with over 80 agencies looking to hire for multiple open positions in their companies and roughly 330 students in attendance.
Dr. David Carter Interviewed For Oral History of Criminology
February 7, 2019
Dr. David Carter has been interviewed as part of the ongoing Oral History of Criminology project. He is the 2nd professor in MSU's history to have been interviewed.
Kelly Tebay Returns to MSU
January 9, 2019
Kelly Tebay, a Criminal Justice alumni, has returned to MSU and is hoping to bring change with her as she starts her role as an incoming Board of Trustee Member.
Deck The Baker Halls
December 8, 2018
To celebrate the Holiday season, and in the spirit of friendly competition, the School of Criminal Justice held its first Holiday Door Decorating Contest.
CJ Students Step Up and Give Back
December 7, 2018
A group of Criminal Justice students work up early to volunteer with Shop with a Cop. The event is in its 15th year of operation.
Dr. Morash Wins DPCC Award
November 30, 2018
Dr. Morash is the recipient of the ASC Division on People of Color and Crime Lifetime Achievement Award.
Project Safe Neighborhoods International Exchange
November 27, 2018
Heather Perez, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator, facilitated an international exchange of Chilean justice system representatives and a team of criminal justice officials and community members in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Chermak: Minutes to Months
November 19, 2018
Leading terrorism experts – including Dr. Chermak – from the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom came together to study the impacts of social media after terror events.
U.S. Secret Service Visit a Hit with Student Leaders
November 7, 2018
Seven undergraduate students in the MSU School of Criminal Justice, who serve as student leaders of two of our student organizations, were recently afforded an exciting opportunity to gain insight into the U.S. Secret Service and the important role that they play.
Dr. Nalla wins Gerhard O.W. Mueller Award
November 2, 2018
Dr. Mahesh Nalla will be presented with the prestigious Gerhard O.W. Mueller Award at the 2019 Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences meeting in March.
Faculty Spotlight Series: Phil Schertzing
October 25, 2018
Phil Schertzing is what some would call a Renaissance Man; having earned multiple degrees in various fields of study, a career that has spanned 41 years, and is an avid historian, volunteer, and word traveler.
Dr. Cobbina Speaks at Congressional Briefing
October 19, 2018
The American Society of Criminology (ASC) Division on Women and Crime (DWC) hosted their first ever Congressional Briefing on Capitol Hill with an audience of legislative aides, criminal justice practitioners, federal agency representatives, and faculty and students from local universities in attendance.
Graduate Student Spotlight: Marva Goodson
October 12, 2018
Marva Goodson is a fifth year PhD Student in the School of Criminal Justice who was recently named a Ford Foundation Scholar.
Congratulations Maureen Conner!
October 8, 2018
The School of Criminal Justice recognizes Professor Maureen Conner for her hard work and dedication to the School of Criminal Justice.
Undergraduate Student Spotlight: Madeleine Dahm
October 5, 2018
Madeleine Dahm is a Junior at Michigan State University pursuing a degree in International Relations and Criminal Justice with a minor in Security Management. Recently, Madeleine received the Gupta Values Scholarship; a Scholarship that is granted to students who “embody the specific values of integrity, dignity, excellence, and creativity.”
Doctoral Students Win Paper Competition
October 5, 2018
The School of Criminal Justice would like to congratulate 3rd year PhD Students Daniel Abad and Matthew Almanza for winning the 2018 Midwestern Criminal Justice Association (MCJA) Student Paper Competition for their paper titled “A Modified Approach to In-School Victimization, Authoritative School Climate, and Student Feelings of Safety.”
Faculty Spotlight Series: Karen Holt
September 17, 2018
Dr. Holt joined the School of Criminal Justice in 2013 as an Adjunct Professor before being promoted to Assistant Professor in 2016.
School of Criminal Justice Raids Crosstown Showdown
September 7, 2018
The annual Crosstown Showdown in between the Lansing Lugnuts and MSU Spartans, took place on Tuesday, September 4th, and the School of Criminal Justice was in attendance to cheer for their fellow Spartans.
Introducing Julie Krupa
August 29, 2018
Join us in welcoming the newest addition to the Criminal Justice team – Post Doctoral Research Associate Julie Krupa!
Dr. Finn Joins Presidential Search Committee
August 28, 2018
School of Criminal Justice Director Mary Finn was recently announced as a member of the MSU Presidential Search Committee.
Alumni Spotlight Series: Jeffrey Senese
July 19, 2018
Dr. Jeffrey Senese is an alumni of the School of Criminal Justice and current president of Saint Leo University, Florida's first Catholic University.
CJ Faculty Shed Light on Drones
July 18, 2018
The advancement of drone technology has spurred one of the hottest debates across the globe. Specifically: how to balance public safety and privacy with the freedom to use a drone.
Dr. Zeoli Speaking at TEDMED Conference
July 11, 2018
Dr. April Zeoli will be joining 23 other scholars to participate in the TEDMED Conference in Palm Springs, California this November.
Parents of Juvenile Offenders Don't Lost Hope
July 10, 2018
Mothers only want the best for their children and are often their biggest supporter - saying (and sometimes believing) that their children can become anything they dream of.
Congratulations to the 13th Class of the School of Staff and Command
July 9, 2018
The School of Criminal Justice would like to congratulate the thirty graduates of the 13th class of the School of Staff & Command.
Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy Honors Dr. Ed McGarrell
June 28, 2018
The George Mason University Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy (CEBCP) recently awarded Dr. Ed McGarrell with their Distinguished Achievement Award.
Professor Mahesh Nalla Quoted in Recent New York Times Article
May 23, 2018
Dr. Mahesh Nalla was quoted in a recent New York Times article titled: Violent Arrest at Century 21 Casts Spotlight on Security Guards.
MasterCard Foundation Scholar Graduating From MSU CJ
May 14, 2018
Arhin Acheampong came to MSU as part of the prestigious MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program. Now he is graduating.
Associate Professor April Zeoli Joins Research Team With NIH Funding
April 26, 2018
Dr. April Zeoli has joined the Firearm-Safety Among Children & Teams Consortium. The consortium is being funded by a five-million-dollar, five-year grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH).
CJ Student Awarded CyberCorps Scholarship
April 24, 2018
Criminal Justice student Mattisen Stonhouse has been awarded the CyberCorps Scholarship for Service Program at Northeastern (a scholarship program that is funded by the National Science Foundation).
Marva Goodson Named Social Networks & Health Fellow
April 24, 2018
Marva Goodson has been awarded a Social Networks and Health Fellowship from the Duke Network Analysis Center (DNAC).
Grand Opening of the Lowe's Lounge
April 24, 2018
The break room that had served the School of Criminal Justice for well over twenty years has recently gotten a face-lift due to the generosity of Lowe's and our fantastic Alumni who work there.
Christine Kwiatkowski is a F.A.S.T. Fellow
April 13, 2018
Christine Kwiatkowski has been selected as a F.A.S.T. (Future Academic Scholars in Teaching) Fellow for the 2018-2019 Academic Year.
Marva Goodson Awarded Ford Foundation Fellowship
April 13, 2018
The Fellowships Office of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine awarded Marva Goodson with a Ford Foundation 2018 Dissertation Fellowship.
David Carter on Two Police Forces in East Lansing
April 6, 2018
The Spartan Newsroom recently interviewed David Carter on the benefits of East Lansing having two police farms in such close proximity working together.
Tom Holt Pens Op-Ed For The Conversation
March 30, 2018
Professor Tom Holt recently wrote an Op-Ed for The Conversation discussing the ways the European Union has been combating Russia's fake news campaigns.
Breaking the Silence Surrounding Human Trafficking
March 29, 2018
The MSU School of Criminal Justice and the MSU School of Social Work will be hosting a screening of Break The Chain.
Professor David Carter Interviewed in The Columbus Dispatch Article
March 26, 2018
Professor David Carter was recently quoted in an article in The Columbus Dispatch titled "Information on Some Columbus Homicide Victims Withheld."
Director Mary Finn Wrote An Op-Ed For HuffPost
March 20, 2018
Director of the School of Criminal Justice, Mary Finn, wrote an Op-Ed for HuffPost.
Professor Steve Chermak Quoted In Article on Far-Right Extremism
March 17, 2018
Dr. Steve Chermak was quoted in a recent article titled "Far right, not Islam, drives most extremist violence in region and elsewhere."
Introducing The MSU Student Cold Case Unit
February 27, 2018
The MSU Cold Case Unit is a organization founded on the campus of Michigan State University in the spring of 2018.