260 Graduate from College in December

Security Studies graduates and faculty.

The College of Criminal Justice graduated its fall class of 2013 in December, with about 230 undergraduates and more than 30 graduate students, including two new Ph.D.s.

Ballistics Study Leads to Changes at Federal Agency

Dr. William King completed a study of the NIBIN system for the National Institute of Justice.

A team of researchers led by Sam Houston State University identified a number of areas of improvement in a national database of forensic ballistics evidence used to link guns to violent crimes.

Locking in a Police Career

La Vista (NE) Police Chief Bob Lausten

Police Chief Bob Lausten, a SHSU graduate and 30 year law enforcement veteran, still uses the padlock from his police academy class. Every time he looks at it, he remembers the core lessons that come with the job.

Phi Alpha Delta Meeting

Mon, Dec 9, 2013
5 p.m.
Lowman Student Center Room 304

Connecting Criminal Justice Classrooms

Dr. Bill Wells

A new twist will let students at Lone Star College-Montgomery see beyond the community college classrooms—literally—via in-class videoconferencing sessions or face-to-face meetings with other students at Sam Houston State University’s College of Criminal Justice.

LCC Graduates Become Top Cops

Five participants in the new chiefs training are graduates of the Leadership Command College."

Five graduates of the Leadership Command College, the premiere executive development program for Texas law enforcement, recently returned to the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) as new police chiefs.

Alpha Phi Sigma Meeting

Wed, Dec 5, 2013
5:30 p.m.
Criminal Justice Center, CJava Cafe

Come join Alpha Phi Sigma, the CJ National Honor Society, at its biweekly meetings!

National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice

Wed Dec 4, 2013
4:00pm
Lowman Student Center, Room 302

SHSU Faculty/Staff Training on Campus Sexual Assault

Faculty and staff from Sam Houston State University are invited to attend a seminar on Dec. 4 from 8 a.m. to noon in the Lowman Student Center Theater on to how to address sexual assault on campus and respond if an assault is reported to them.

Graduate Student Organization Meeting

Tue, Dec 3, 2013
3:30 P.M.
Bates Room, Criminal Justice Center

Crime Victim Services Alliance

Tue, Dec 3, 2013
5:15 p.m.
Lowman Student Center, Room 319

The Crime Victim Services Alliance is committed to advancing knowledge and awareness of victim services as a movement and as a profession among students interested in the criminal justice system, crime victim rights and crime victim services.

The Society of Forensic Science Meeting

Tue, Dec. 3, 2013
5:30 PM
Chemistry and Forensic Science Building
Room 103

The Society of Forensic Science is a special interest group at SHSU, consisting of individuals who are interested in working together to expand and share their knowledge of Forensic Science. The society participates in various volunteer and fundraising activities throughout the year.

The Election of New Officer will be held at the December meeting.

Alumnus Oversees Largest Prison System in U.S.

Deputy Executive Director Bryan Collier, TDCJ

Bryan Collier (’86) began his career at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) manning the switchboard while a student at Sam Houston State University. Now 28 years later, he is second in command at the state agency that oversees the largest adult prison, parole and probation system in the country.

Phi Alpha Delta Meeting

Mon, Nov 25, 2013
5 p.m.
Lowman Student Center Room 304

National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice Meeting

Wed Nov 20, 2013
4:00pm
Lowman Student Center, Room 302

Voices Lecture Series: Michael K. Sweeney, Texas Association Against Sexual Assault

Wed, Nov 20, 2013
1:00 - 3:00pm
Hazel B. Kerper Courtroom

Michael K. SweeneyAs a 28 year law enforcement veteran, Michael K. Sweeney handled many sexual assault cases at the Aurora, CO and Ocean Springs, MS police departments. Now he is teaching law enforcement officers, advocates, and counselors how to investigate these cases and understand victims and perpetrators.

Crime Victim Services Alliance Meeting

Tue, November 19, 2013
5:15 p.m.
Lowman Student Center, Room 319

The Crime Victim Services Alliance is committed to advancing knowledge and awareness of victim services as a movement and as a profession among students interested in the criminal justice system, crime victim rights and crime victim services.

STAFS Classes Open to Students, Alumni

The Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science Facility is opening its hands-on trainings on various aspects of crime scene investigations to college students and alumni.

Real Talk w/CJ: U.S. Postal Inspector Stephaine Harden

Thu, Nov 14, 2013
2 - 3 P.M.
CJ Courtroom

U.S. Postal Inspector Stephaine Harden.Come rain, sleet, snow or hail, Stephaine Harden’s job is to support and protect the U.S. Postal Service and its employees, infrastructure, and customers and to enforce laws to defend the system against dangerous or illegal use.

Alpha Phi Sigma Meeting

Wed, Nov 13, 2013
5:30 p.m.
Criminal Justice Center, CJava Cafe

Come join Alpha Phi Sigma, the CJ National Honor Society, at its biweekly meetings!

Society of Forensic Science Meeting

Tue, Nov 12, 2013
5:30 PM
Chemistry and Forensic Science Building
Room 121

Guest Speaker will be Lt. Col. Robert McCormick, who will share his experiences in artillery and anti-terrorism. Pizza and drinks will be served.

Probation/Parole To Get Lessons in Impaired Driving

The Impaired Driving Initiatives at Sam Houston State University is expanding its efforts to get drunk and drugged drivers off the road by developing a new program to assist Texas probation and parole officers to recognize the signs and systems of various kinds of drug impairment among their clients and families.

CVI Puts Research into Practice

The Crime Victims’ Institute (CVI) at Sam Houston State University initiated a new series of reports to help victim advocates translate the latest research in the field into practical services and resources for victims.

Intern Finds Pipeline to Future Corporate Career

Nicole Aquais did an internship at Air Liquide.

As an intern for American Air Liquide, Nicole Aguais spent the Fall helping to keep more than 5,000 employees, 200 facilities, and 2,000 miles of industrial gas pipeline in the U.S. safe for a multi-national company.

Employment, In-House Services Lead to Success for DWI Courts

Offenders from a Texas DWI court were more likely to succeed in the program if they were employed and followed curriculum developed and delivered by local criminal justice and treatment professionals, a study at Sam Houston State University found.

Phi Alpha Delta Meeting

Mon, Nov 11, 2013
5 p.m.
Lowman Student Center Room 304

National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice Meeting

Wed Nov 6, 2013
4:00pm
Lowman Student Center, Room 302

Special Presentation: Houston DEA Special Agent in Charge Javier Pena

Wed Nov 6, 2013
12:00 p.m
Hazel B. Kerper Courtroom

As a Special Agent in Austin, Javier Peña volunteered for an assignment to track down Pablo Escobar, an infamous Columbian drug lord who led the Medellin Cartel during their reign of drug trafficking, terrorism and murder. Now Peña leads the Houston office of the Drug Enforcement Administration in the War on Drugs in the South and East Texas regions.

Graduate Student Organization Meeting

Tue, Nov 5, 2013
3:30 P.M.
Texas Room, Criminal Justice Center

Crime Victim Services Alliance Meeting

Tue, Nov 5, 2013
5:15 p.m.
Lowman Student Center, Room 319

The Crime Victim Services Alliance is committed to advancing knowledge and awareness of victim services as a movement and as a profession among students interested in the criminal justice system, crime victim rights and crime victim services.

CJ Faculty Makes List of Top Female Scholars

Dr. Leana Bouffard

Two faculty members at Sam Houston State University and an alumna were named among the 20 most prolific female scholars in Criminal Justice and Criminology in an article published in the Journal of Criminal Justice Education.

Recent Publications

Here is a list of publications recently produced by faculty, students and alumni of Sam Houston State University, College of Criminal Justice.

Alumnus Protects U.S. Airspace at FAA

Alumnus Marc Glasser protects the airspace over the Northwest U.S. for the FAA.

Alumnus Marc Glasser (BS ’85) is flying high as a U.S. Government Special Agent where his service has included safeguarding the U.S. airspace for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), investigating white-collar crimes for the U.S. Department of Transportation, and protecting three Secretaries of States for the U.S. Department of State.

Voices Series: Barbie Brashear of the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council

Wed, Oct 30, 2013
2 - 3 P.M.
CJ Courtroom

The Crime Victims’ Institute will debut a new series on Oct. 30 to explore victimization issues and career opportunities available in victim services.

The Voices Lecture Series will focus on the victim services field. The series, which is expected to host five speakers throughout the Fall and Spring semesters, is planning sessions on domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and exploitation, and human trafficking.

Alpha Phi Sigma Meeting

Wed, Oct 30, 2013
5:30 p.m.
Criminal Justice Center, CJava Cafe

Come join Alpha Phi Sigma, the CJ National Honor Society, at its biweekly meetings!

Society of Forensic Science Meeting

Tue, Oct 29, 2013
5:30 PM
Chemistry and Forensic Science Building
Room 121

Society of Forensic Science Meeting and Scary Movie Night! Guest speaker will be a representative from the Undergraduate Research Symposium. Scary Movie to follow the meeting at the Forum Apartments no later than 6:30 p.m. Pizza and drinks will be served.

Phi Alpha Delta Meeting

Mon, Oct 28, 2013
5 p.m.
Lowman Student Center Room 304

Real Talk w/CJ: Eric Vento of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area

Wed, Oct. 23, 2013
3 - 4 P.M.
CJ Courtroom

Just a year after graduating from Sam Houston State University and joining the Houston Police Department, Officer Eric Vento (’10) was assigned to the city’s Gang Task Force working in “hot spot” policing, moving around crime-ridden neighborhoods and attacking gang activities through drug and violent crime arrests.

Now Vento serves on a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) team in both uniform and plainclothes with a mission to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations.

Crime Victims’ Institute Explores Intergenerational Intimate Partner Violence

Most parents who experienced intimate partner violence had children that grew to face violence in their own adult relationships, according to a study published by the Crime Victims’ Institute at Sam Houston State University.

Helping Law Enforcement Agencies Prepare for Critical Incidents

Officers involved in critical incidents on the job – such as school shootings, the death of fellow officers or riots – will share lessons learned from these tragic incidents with law enforcement agencies in hopes of preventing tragedies in the future.

National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice Meeting

Wed Oct 23, 2013
4:00pm
Lowman Student Center, Room 302

Crime Victim Services Alliance

Tue, Oct 22, 2013
5:15 p.m.
Lowman Student Center, Room 319

The Crime Victim Services Alliance is committed to advancing knowledge and awareness of victim services as a movement and as a profession among students interested in the criminal justice system, crime victim rights and crime victim services.

CMIT Adds Research Opportunities

The Correctional Management Institute of Texas is expanding its research capacity with the additions of its first research associate and a cadre of faculty and graduate students that specialize in the field.

A Chemist's Journey to Forensic Science

Dr. Jasmine Drake

After spending three years in a lab creating and analyzing compounds that could be used as an energy source for a future superconductor, Dr. Jasmine Drake wanted to find a job with a more immediate impact on society.

Beto Chair Lecture Series: Professor David M. Kennedy

Friday Oct 18, 2013
9:30 - 11:00 A.M.
Hazel B. Kerper Courtroom

Professor David Kennedy

Professor David M. Kennedy of John Jay College of Criminal Justice will present “Toward a New Criminal Justice: Race, Violence, Drugs, Prison, and Legitimacy” as the Fall Beto Lecture. He is the Director of the Center for Crime Prevention and Control. The Center focuses on crime prevention initiatives to combat violent street groups, gun violence and gun trafficking, overt drug markets, and domestic violence by building relations between the community and law enforcement, strengthening neighborhoods, and reducing arrests and incarceration.

Alpha Phi Sigma Meeting

Wed, Oct 16, 2013
5:30 p.m.
Criminal Justice Center, CJava Cafe

Come join Alpha Phi Sigma, the CJ National Honor Society, at its biweekly meetings!

Crime Victim Services Alliance Meeting

Tue, Oct. 15, 2013
5:15 p.m.
Lowman Student Center, Room 319

The Crime Victim Services Alliance is committed to advancing knowledge and awareness of victim services as a movement and as a profession among students interested in the criminal justice system, crime victim rights and crime victim services.

Society of Forensic Science Meeting

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Tue, Oct 15, 2013
5:30 PM
Chemistry and Forensic Science Building
Room 121

The guest speaker for the meeting will be Dr. David Gangitano, Associate Professor, College of Criminal Justice, Department of Forensic Science. Pizza and beverages will be served.