The Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice (SHSU-COCJ) has joined Diplomacy Lab , a public-private partnership with the United States (U.S.) Department of State that engages academic expertise to address real-world foreign policy challenges and inform policymaking. Through this collaboration, students participate in experiential learning by working in teams to develop research solutions for projects proposed by the State Department. During the semester, students interact directly with federal officials to contribute to the policy process and explore careers in diplomacy. Laura Iesue, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology For the college’s inaugural Diplomacy Lab project, graduate students in Laura Iesue’s Perspectives in Criminology course are working with the Diplomatic Security Service in Brazil. Their project, titled “From Classrooms to Criminal Organizations: Investigating the Link Between Primary Schooling and Gang Activity,” analyzes data to ...