CJ In the Know

Braell Dotson, a computer science student at Sam Houston State University’s College of Science and Engineering Technology (SHSU-COSET), developed a new centralization plugin for Gephi , an open-source software program utilized by organizations such as the Institute for Homeland Security, the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Institute of Texas and the Center of Intelligence and Crime Analysis. “Nate Jones came to me with the idea. The plug-in seemed like a great opportunity to learn, so I thought I should take on the challenge,” said Dotson. “It also was a chance to solve a problem, which is always worth doing.” Commonly referred to as the “Photoshop for graph data,” Gephi allows users to feed in large amounts of data and then interact with it through visualizations, manipulating structures, shapes and colors to reveal hidden patterns. However, the software lacks centralization metrics, which are some of the most crucial measures in social network analysis for examining dark networks. ...

 Sam Houston State University is offering a new Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) in Criminal Justice program designed for those seeking a practical, affordable and accessible pathway to earning a bachelor’s degree. The program is offered fully online and uses a competency-based education (CBE) model with frequent start dates throughout the year, allowing students to progress by demonstrating what they know through real-world assignments and applied learning experiences. Students may also apply prior college coursework, professional training, certifications, military experience and other workforce learning toward their degree, helping reduce the time required to complete their bachelor’s degree. “This program was built with the field, for the field,” said Danielle Boisvert, senior associate dean of the SHSU College of Criminal Justice (SHSU-COCJ). “It creates a flexible, affordable pathway for students to advance their education while balancing work, family and other res...

SHSU College of Criminal Justice (SHSU COCJ) alumna Laura Greenwood (’15) has two words of advice for current college students. “Don’t stop!” Greenwood began her college career with SHSU COCJ in 1976. She experienced a freshman year that few, if any, other SHSU COCJ students can claim. During that time, her father, a former district attorney in the Corpus Christi area, tried a case in the Hazel B. Kerper courtroom in the SHSU George J. Beto Criminal Justice Center. “He did a change of venue on one of his cases to Sam Houston State University,” Greenwood said. “All my friends were there. They grew up knowing my dad and they all went to the courtroom to watch him.” Laura later paused her undergraduate studies to embark on a career with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice working as a guard, a groundbreaking move at the time since women made up less than 10 percent of correctional officers in the United States.  She later moved to New Mexico where she worked as a dispatcher with ...

Christopher Cook Master of Science in Homeland Security Studies Spilimbergo, Italy This spring, Christopher Cook earned a Master of Science in Homeland Security Studies with a graduate certificate in critical infrastructure protection from Sam Houston State University. The graduate completed his degree entirely online in his home country of Italy and visited Huntsville, Texas, for the first time to walk the orange carpet at commencement. Drawn to SHSU for its reputation in criminal justice education and its renowned research institutes, like the Institute for Homeland Security , Cook was eager to earn his graduate degree at a university with direct connections to the field and values that align with his own. “SHSU offered one of the most comprehensive and applicable degree programs in the nation,” Cook said. “When I learned about the story of General Sam Houston, along with the university motto, ‘The measure of a Life is its Service,’ I found both to be not only inspirational but als...

Photo courtesy of Second Mountain Leadership and Golden Eagle Creative Kelly Morriss (’90), warden of the Jefferson County Correctional Center (JCCC), has received the Brave Leadership in Corrections Award from Second Mountain Leadership , a non-profit organization that provides programming for incarcerated individuals. The Sam Houston State University alumnus was recognized at the organization’s 2026 Comeback Project Gala this past April at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. “It’s so hard for people in law enforcement and corrections to change the way they’ve been taught through the years,” said Morriss. “Ultimately, my ability to change and lead others in making a change is why I’ve been honored with this award.” After earning a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice , Morriss relocated from Huntsville, Texas, to his birthplace of Missouri to serve as a correctional officer at Western Missouri Correctional Center. From there, he advanced through various state institutions,...

The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) has completed a year-and-a-half-long project for the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). In 2024, TCOLE engaged LEMIT to perform a job task analysis (JTA) of newly commissioned Texas peace officers to help the agency gain a better understanding of their main tasks, responsibilities and duties. The project involved collaboration between LEMIT and SHSU’s Criminal Justice and Criminology and Management and Marketing departments. “Supporting TCOLE on this effort is exactly what the legislature created us to do: provide practical, research-driven support to Texas law enforcement,” said John Ray, executive director of LEMIT. “Policing has changed since the last JTA was published in 1997. This project gets to the heart of what modern policing requires and ensures training reflects today’s realities, not those of 30 years ago.” Alongside SHSU professors Huda Masood and Ja...

Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice  professor Nathan Jones was recently featured in an episode of the History Channel’s “History’s Greatest Mysteries,” focusing on the hunt for El Chapo. As an expert on organized crime and drug violence in Mexico, the security studies professor and chair was invited to Los Angeles, California, to participate in the show’s production. Through the experience, he also had the opportunity to connect with fellow academics from universities across the nation. “It was a lot of fun. They flew us out to Los Angeles to shoot on a green screen, which was a cool experience,” Jones said. “The episode was all about El Chapo, which is directly related to my research.” The program also briefly examines El Chapo’s conflict with the Arellano-Felix Cartel, an area of interest for Jones’ research. Viewers can watch the episode, “ The Hunt for El Chapo: Case Closed ,” on a supported cable or streaming package. More information  about Jones’ c...

The Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice (SHSU-COCJ) commemorates the life of Dr. Marilyn Ee, a criminal justice doctoral student who passed away in her home country of Malaysia this past January after battling cancer for two years. Beginning her doctoral studies in 2019, Marilyn spent her time at SHSU demonstrating academic excellence and forging impactful connections with fellow students, faculty and staff. The scholar’s dissertation chair, Dr. Yan Zhang, said Marilyn approached her work with both rigor and heart and always strived to make a difference. “Marilyn was an exceptional scholar, a dedicated student, and a person of remarkable warmth and integrity. As her dissertation chair, I had the privilege of witnessing her intellectual curiosity, perseverance and commitment to meaningful research,” said Zhang. “It was truly a privilege to guide her through her doctoral journey and to know her as both a student and a friend. Her legacy will endure not only throu...

This March, a group of 15 criminal justice students attending Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice (SHSU-COCJ) programs at South Texas College (STC) and Texas Southmost College (TSC) visited SHSU’s Huntsville, Texas, campus for an immersive learning experience. “Going to SHSU’s main campus as someone who lives seven hours away was an amazing experience,” said Joanna Gutierrez, one of the students taking courses at STC. “It felt like we were part of the actual campus life and I loved how informative and interesting it was.” The all-day event offered students the chance to explore campus facilities and attractions and join a tour of the nearby Texas Department of Criminal Justice Huntsville Unit, a valuable experience for students pursuing a career in criminal justice. With career preparation in mind, students also engaged with agencies and learned about various job opportunities at the Criminal Justice Career and Internship Fair hosted by the SHSU Career Succes...