Here is the latest news on alumni from the College of Criminal Justice and the George J. Beto Criminal Justice Center.
Alumni Update

Thursday, December 15, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestStudy Examines Victim Cooperation in Cases of Intimate Partner Sexual Assault

Title
TextSexual assault incidents that involve intimate partners feature unique factors that affect a victim’s willingness to cooperate with police, including the relationship between the suspect and victim and law enforcement practices in investigating these crimes, according to a recent study.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestCollege Awards Degrees to 300 in December
About 300 students graduated from the College of Criminal Justice in December, earning bachelor, master, and Ph.D. degrees in criminal justice, victim studies, and homeland security studies.

Monday, December 12, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestDr. Tasca Earns Prestigious National Institute of Justice Award

NIJ Fellowship
Dr. Melinda Tasca received the W.E.B. Fellowship to study the use of restrictive housing in corrections.Dr. Melinda Tasca received the prestigious W.E.B. Du Bois Fellowship from the National Institute of Justice to investigate racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in the use of restrictive housing in correctional facilities.

Monday, December 5, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestDr. Buzzini Pinpoints Investigative Tool for Counterfeit Bills

Counterfeit Research
Dr. Patrick Buzzini is working with the Secret Service to develop a new investigative tool to trace counterfeit bills.Dr. Patrick Buzzini of the Department of Forensic Science received a National Institute of Justice grant to develop chemical signatures for counterfeit currency or questioned documents produced with inkjet printers that can help lead investigator back to the source. Dr. Buzzini is collaborating with the U.S. Secret Service on the project.

Sunday, December 4, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestWeekends are Designed for Learning Leadership in CJ College

Weekend Program
Law enforcement professionals can advance their careers with a weekend master’s program.In the Dean’s Suite at the College of Criminal Justice is a plaque bearing a motto from noted leadership author James Maxwell, “A leader who produces other leaders multiplies the effect.” It is a gift from the latest graduating class of the master of Criminal Justice Leadership and Management weekend program.

Saturday, December 3, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestAlumna Finds Niche at Child Protective Services

Victim Services
Alumna Melissa Brod found her niche in helping abused children find safe homes.Melissa Brod (’92) originally wanted to be a probation officer after graduating from Sam Houston State University, but she discovered a more rewarding way to practice criminal justice.

Saturday, December 3, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestDr. del Carmen Awarded Honorary Degree in The Philippines

International
Dr. Rolando del Carmen was awarded an honorary doctoral degree in laws from Silliman University, his alma mater in the Philippines.Dr. Rolando del Carmen was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in laws from his alma mater in The Philippines in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the legal field.

Friday, November 18, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest“President” De La Garza Returns to Washington

Internships
Sophomore Jordan De La Garza is participating in inaugural activities in Washington, D.C. with the Envision program.Sophomore Jordan De La Garza already served once as President in Washington, D.C., and in January he hopes to return for a second term.

Friday, November 18, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestScholarship Dedicated in Service to Others

Scholarship
Alumnus Sgt. 1st Class Todd Gibb continues his dedication to service through a scholarship at the College.Sgt. 1st Class Todd Gibbs continues to give back to his alma mater and country long after a roadside bomb took his life in Iraq in Dec. 7, 2004.

Thursday, November 17, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestStudy Assesses Elder Abuse Training in Texas

Research
A study by Dr. Victoria Titterington found a lack of training on elder abuse issues among Texas law enforcement officers.Law enforcement officers are often the first to respond to and investigate suspected cases of elder abuse, but nine out of 10 officers receive no training on how to handle these cases, according to a study by the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) at Sam Houston State University.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestWhat's Your Story? Criminal Justice Panel

Career Services
Criminal justice professionals, include FBI, US Marshal, Juvenile Probation and Texas Game Warden, discuss career options in the field on 11/16.What’s Your Story?
Criminal Justice Panel
Wed, Nov 16
3:00 – 4:30pm
CJ Courtroom
Career Services at Sam Houston State University will present a panel of Criminal Justice professionals during “What’s Your Story?,” a week-long series designed to introduce students to careers available in the field. Other panels target jobs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math; Business; and Education.
The Criminal Justice Panel will include:
- Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Garmon
- Texas Game Warden Dornell Crist
- Jill Saumell, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer at Walker County Juvenile Services
- Adam Hitt, Staff Operations Specialist for the FBI Houston, Multi-Agency Gang Task Force
The panelists will focus on sharing their stories about how they found their professions and the lessons they learned along the way.
For more information, contact Career Services at (936) 294-1713.

Thursday, November 3, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestStudents Earn Best of the Midwest in Research Papers
An undergraduate and a graduate student in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology recently won outstanding student paper awards from the Midwestern Criminal Justice Association.

Thursday, November 3, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestFor the Love of Research in Forensic Science

New Faculty
Dr. Madeleine Swortwood worked for the Food and Drug Administration and the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office before joining SHSU.Dr. Madeleine Swortwood grew up wanting to be a lawyer and a doctor. She found the best of both worlds in forensic science.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestBearkat Takes Crime Stoppers to the State

Crime Stoppers
Former Bearkat Steven Squier recently was named to the Texas Crime Stoppers Council.Former Bearkat Steven Squier wears many hats in Montgomery County.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestOn the Frontline of Homeland Security Planning

Security Studies
The new Director of Security Studies, Dr. Nadav Morag, has been at the center of homeland security planning in the U.S. and Israel.Throughout his career, Dr. Nadav Morag has been heavily engaged in counterterrorism and homeland security policy in the United States and Israel.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestSHSU to Study Houston Police Response to Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Victims

Research
SHSU to Study Houston Police Response to Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence VictimsThree researchers at Sam Houston State University will evaluate a new training initiative by the Houston Police Department designed to improve response to sexual assault and domestic violence victims.

Monday, October 31, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest100 Years of Criminal Justice Education
In 1916, then-Berkeley Police Chief August Vollmer started the first criminology program in higher education at the University of California to help develop expertise in policing. A hundred years later, criminal justice programs have become a mainstay on college campuses across the country and have helped professionalize the field.

Friday, October 28, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestRecent Publications -- Fall 2016
Here is a list of publications recently produced by faculty, students and alumni of Sam Houston State University, College of Criminal Justice.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestStop Violence Against Women During Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Victim Studies
Join us in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month for the Clothesline Project Oct. 20 and 27 and for “Telling Amy’s Story” on Oct. 25.The Clothesline Project
Oct. 20, 10am to 2pm (decorate)
Lowman Student Center Mall
Oct. 27, 9am to 2pm
Criminal Justice Center (display)
“Telling Amy’s Story”
Oct 25, 6 – 8pm
Lowman Student Center Theater

Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestDr. Nancy Rodriguez, Director of the National Institute of Justice

Special Presentation
Alumna Dr. Nancy Rodriguez, Director of the National Institute of Justice, will present “Following the Science: My Journey from Research to Policy and Practice” on Oct. 27.Following the Science: My Journey from Research to Policy and Practice
Thu, Oct 27, 2016
6:30pm
Performing Arts Center, Recital Hall

Friday, October 7, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestAlumni Keep Roads Safe in Brazos County

Alumni Keep Roads Safe in Brazos County
2 Sam Houston alumni were at the forefront of training local officers how to detect drug use among those they encounter on the roadsWhen a K2 epidemic hit the Bryan-College Station area in 2014, two Sam Houston alumni were at the forefront of training local officers how to detect drug use among those they encounter on the roads.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestEducating Foreign Companies in U.S. on Homeland Security
Two faculty members from the Department of Security Studies recently helped an international company with offices in Houston to understand better Homeland Security issues and emergency management practices in the United States.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestFellowships Pave Way to Research in Forensics, CJ

Fellowship
Three graduate students, Stephanie Basiliere, Cassie Mayes and Meghan Mitchell, received prestigious federal fellowships.Three doctoral students in the College of Criminal Justice received fellowships to pursue research in their fields.

Thursday, September 29, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestA Father/Son Reunion at the CJ Center

A Father/Son Reunion at the CJ Center
Cody Leach is literally following in his father’s footstep in the College of Criminal JusticeCody Leach is literally following in his father’s footstep in the College of Criminal Justice, using a part-time position at the Criminal Justice Center to make valuable contacts for his career.

Friday, September 23, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestTraining New Law Enforcement Recruits

Training New Law Enforcement Recruits
100 percent of the graduates of the Police Academy at McLennan Community College in Waco have passed the state test to become certified peace officers in Texas on their first trySince its creation in 2004, 100 percent of the graduates of the Police Academy at McLennan Community College in Waco have passed the state test to become certified peace officers in Texas on their first try.

Friday, September 23, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestReal Talk w/CJ: U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command

Real Talk with CJ
Learn about a career in Crime Scene Investigation in the U.S. Army and how to start right after graduationTue, Oct. 18, 2016
2:00pm
CJ Courtroom
In the U.S. Army, special agents in the Criminal Investigation Command, commonly referred to as CID, serve as detectives and crime scene investigators on felony-level crimes related to the U.S. Army.

Friday, September 23, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestSame-Sex Couples Face Higher Abuse Rates, Fewer Services

Research
A study published by the Crime Victims’ Institute found same-sex couples face higher abuse rates and few services.The prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) is higher among sexual minority men and women (lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender and queer) than rates reported for heterosexuals, but there are fewer resources dedicated to the unique needs of these populations, according to a review published recently by the Crime Victims’ Institute.

Monday, September 12, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestBe a Voice for Victims

Victim Studies Career Fair
Become a voice for victims and find a job at the Victim Studies Career Fair on Nov. 3 in the CJ Lobby.Victim Studies Career Fair
Thu, Nov 3
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
CJ Lobby

Sunday, September 4, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestReal Talk w/CJ: Mike Coates, STP Nuclear Operating Company

Real Talk
Learn more about protecting the nuclear industry from terrorism, natural disasters, and cyberattacks from Mike Coates of STP Nuclear Operating Co. on Sept. 22.Thu, Sep 22, 2016
2:00pm
Hazel B. Kerper Courtroom

Thursday, August 25, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestBeto Chair Lecture: Dr. Ami Pedahzur

Beto Chair Lecture: Dr. Ami Pedahzur
The Next Steps in the Quest for Understanding Terrorism
Fri Oct 29, 2016
11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Hazel B. Kerper Courtroom

Thursday, August 25, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestPrison Visitation Linked to Reduction in Recidivism, Study Shows
Inmates who received prison visitation were less likely to re-offend after release when compared to offenders who did not receive visits, according to a meta-analysis study by researchers at Sam Houston State University.

Monday, August 22, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestTeaching Community Policing Abroad

International Policing
Dr. Phillip Lyons teaches community policing to officers in Central America to combat gang violence.For the last seven years, Dr. Phillip Lyons has been working with law enforcement officers in Central America to teach them the basics of community policing as a strategy in their efforts to combat gang violence plaguing the region.

Friday, August 12, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestDr. Menard Advances Criminal Justice Studies with Statistics
Dr. Scott Menard taught a lot of people to use statistics to address crime and victimization issues involving juvenile delinquency, mental health, socio-economic status, substance abuse, and false accusations, to name a few.

Friday, August 12, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestStudent Awarded National Congressional Internship
Senior Alvin Casimere will be steeped in history this fall in the hallowed halls of Congress.

Thursday, August 11, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestImpaired Driving Training Targets Remote Texas Counties
Law enforcement officers in remote areas of Texas will receive training on detecting drunk and drugged drivers through a special grant awarded to the Impaired Driving Initiatives program at Sam Houston State University.

Thursday, August 11, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestCriminal Justice Welcome Week (Aug. 29 - Sept. 1)

Welcome Week
Join us for Welcome Week.August 29, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
CJ Lobby
Movie Night "The Battle of Algiers" with Dr. Nadav Morag
August 30, 4:30 p.m.
CJ Courtroom
Student Organization Fair
August 31, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
CJ Lobby
Internships 101
September 1, 1 p.m.
CJ Courtroom
Welcome to the Fall 2016 semester!
CJ Welcome Week (August 29 – September 1)

Thursday, August 11, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestCJ Advisor Finds Calling in Higher Education
Brian Howard has taken the University’s motto to heart throughout his academic career at Sam Houston State University and now he wants to pass that lesson on to current students at the College of Criminal Justice.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestImmigration Status May Act as Protective Factor in Sentencing
Offenders with federal immigration detainers received significantly shorter sentences in state courts than those that did not face deportation, except in cases involving life or death sentences, researchers found.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestCollege Graduates Nearly 250 at Summer Commencement
Nearly 250 students graduated from the College of Criminal Justice on Aug. 5, including an estimated 176 undergraduates and 67 graduate students. The Commencement Ceremony was held at The Woodlands Church Campus because of ongoing construction at the Johnson Coliseum.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestBook Relives Glory Days of Texas Prison Rodeo

Book Talk
Dr. Mitchel Roth will read excerpts from Convict Cowboys: The Untold Story of the Texas Prison Rodeo at the Texas Prison Museum on Oct. 2 from 2-4 p.m.For 55 years, Huntsville held, what was at one time the largest sporting event in the state, the Texas Prison Rodeo starring the most unlikely of sports heroes – Texas prison inmates.

Friday, August 5, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestBecoming a Texas Game Warden

Internship
Justin Amundson spent his summer working side-by-side with Texas Game Wardens in Harris and Waller counties.Over the summer, Justin Amundson worked side by side with Texas Game Wardens on land and water.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestSTAFS Provides Hands-on Learning in Anthropology, Biology

Internship
Sierra Smith assisted with trainings and research during her internship at the Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science Facility.Sierra Smith spent her summer at the Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Facility (STAFS) working with the deceased to help teach the living.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestWitnessing the Practice of Law
Graciela Garcia said her textbooks and classroom lessons came to life this summer in the Walker County Courthouse.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestIntern Protects Evidence at Freeport Police Department
Senior Robert Parsley got an in-depth lesson in processing evidence during his internship with the Freeport Police Department.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestResearch Reveals Restorative Justice Reduces Recidivism

Research
A study by Dr. Jeffrey Bouffard found restorative justice programs are more effective in reducing recidivism than traditional court processing.Restorative justice programs, such victim-offender mediation and community impact panels, are more effective in reducing recidivism rates among juvenile offenders than traditional court processing, a study by researchers at Sam Houston State University found.

Thursday, July 28, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestAsian Policing Conference Returns to Huntsville

International Conference
The College hosted the annual Asian Association of Police Studies conference , which featured the latest research on policing issues in Asian nations.This summer, the College of Criminal Justice hosted the 16th Annual Conference of the Asian Association of Police Studies (AAPS), an international organization that advances scientific, practical, and professional knowledge concerning policing and crime control.

Friday, July 22, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestStudy Explores Honor Crimes in the U.S.
Most so-called honor crimes in the U.S. occurred during the process of separation or because the victim had become too westernized, according to new research.

Friday, July 22, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestEducation is Key to Success in Jails

Alumnus
Wayne Dicky, Jail Administrator in Brazos County, was named President of the American Jail Association.As the new President of the American Jail Association, Alumnus Wayne Dicky continues to stress the importance of ongoing education for jail professionals.

Thursday, July 7, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestForensic Science and Psychology Students Get Their Day in Court

Forensics and Law
Forensic science students got a lesson in providing testimony in the Hazel B. Kerper Courtroom.Forensic science students had the opportunity to testify in moot court about their expanding expertise in the field.

Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestGrowing Up Trooper

Alumni News
Luke Scamardo ('15) achieved his dream of becoming a state trooper after graduating from DPS Academy..When he was five, Luke Anthony Scamardo Jr.’s grandmother sewed him a uniform that looked just like his uncle Chris Clark, a Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper. He even sported a handmade utility belt with a pair of handcuffs donated by his mentor.
Twenty years later, Clark, now a Texas Ranger Lieutenant, pinned a badge on his nephew after he graduated from the DPS Academy. On July 9, Scamardo heads to his first assignment in Rio Grande along the Texas/Mexican border.
“I am looking forward to getting out on the road and putting my training to good use to help people,” said Scamardo, now a strapping young man of 6’8”, who towers over his uncle and his classmates.

Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestSHSU Students Provide “Security” to Hospitalized Children

Security Studies
Graduates of the Security Studies program joined ASIS to provide teddy bears to children in Houston area hospitals..
Community Service
Security Studies graduates distributed teddy bears to children with cancer in Houston hospitals.Graduates from the Department of Security Studies recently returned to assist with “Teddy Bears for Tots,” an ASIS-Houston Chapter initiative to purchase and distribute 1,000 stuffed animals to children in major hospitals throughout the Houston region.

Friday, June 24, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestCollege Welcomes Four New Faculty in Fall

Faculty
Four new faculty will join the College this fall in Forensic Science and Criminal Justice and Criminology..Four new faculty members will join the College of Criminal Justice this fall, adding expertise in corrections, victim studies, and forensic science.

Friday, June 24, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestSHSU Study Tests Success of Hot Spot Deployments

Research
Dr. Larry Hoover and colleagues investigate success factors for hot spot policing.Hot spot policing is most successful in reducing street crimes in small area with the highest crime rates through long-term concentrated patrols, according to researchers at Sam Houston State University, College of Criminal Justice.

Friday, June 24, 2016
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestMonthly Archive
-
►
2017
(113)
- December (1)
- November (7)
- October (15)
- September (17)
- August (3)
- July (6)
- June (3)
- May (12)
- April (3)
- March (19)
- February (8)
- January (19)
-
▼
2016
(114)
- December (7)
- November (9)
- October (7)
- September (6)
- August (16)
- July (6)
- June (11)
- May (5)
- April (9)
- March (7)
- February (14)
- January (17)
-
►
2015
(121)
- November (8)
- October (5)
- September (17)
- August (9)
- July (3)
- June (7)
- May (6)
- April (10)
- March (7)
- February (33)
- January (16)
-
►
2014
(224)
- December (2)
- November (20)
- October (26)
- September (23)
- August (20)
- July (5)
- June (10)
- May (10)
- April (35)
- March (28)
- February (34)
- January (11)
-
►
2013
(216)
- December (13)
- November (17)
- October (31)
- September (30)
- August (13)
- July (8)
- June (6)
- May (13)
- April (25)
- March (17)
- February (23)
- January (20)
-
►
2012
(187)
- December (9)
- November (16)
- October (25)
- September (23)
- August (10)
- July (8)
- June (9)
- May (10)
- April (21)
- March (21)
- February (24)
- January (11)
-
►
2011
(184)
- December (14)
- November (13)
- October (17)
- September (15)
- August (13)
- July (7)
- June (11)
- May (14)
- April (29)
- March (22)
- February (19)
- January (10)

