 |
|
|
|
Criminology and Criminal Justice Department at the Forefront Preparing Students for Jobs with Social Commitment
An energizing force behind creation of the department nearly a decade ago, Pease, now dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, has seen the department grow to nine faculty members, whom she credits with “bringing in more than one-half million dollars in state and federal grants for research.” With 467 undergraduate majors and about 40 graduate students, the department is the second largest on campus (after Psychology). It attracts half of its enrollment from community colleges and other four-year universities. Ask Cox why the retention rate appears outstanding (they average 80 incoming students and graduate an average of 75), and he responds with alacrity: “quality of our program and excellence of our faculty.” Based on standards set by the national Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, the program balances criminology, which concentrates on the causes and control of criminal behavior, with criminal justice, which focuses on systems, such as police, courts, and corrections. “We offer a broad approach in the curriculum, with studies being both theoretical and practical,” explains Cox. “We teach our students skills in critical thinking, problem solving, writing, understanding human behavior and how it can be changed, and conflict management. Once hired, they can go on to be trained at state academies for police, corrections, probation, or parole positions.” Invariably, Cox is bombarded by e-mails from those yearning to become crime scene investigators. No doubt the popular “CSI” television series has spurred a mistaken notion of this as a glamorous calling. “We’ve designed a forensic chemistry course in conjunction with the Chemistry Department for criminology majors,” says Cox. “However, the demand for forensic experts is so small, and usually a Ph.D. in biology or chemistry is required. Actually, the work is meticulous and mind-grinding. It can be boring to spend 80 hours looking at one blood spot under a microscope to reveal a clue.” In contrast to forensic scientists confined to a crime lab, Cox notes with enthusiasm, “Our graduates are out where the action is. They could be in law enforcement—first on a crime scene—or in a service agency counseling victims or troubled youths, or be adult or juvenile probations officers, investigators for the public defenders office, community treatment facilitators, correctional officers, or court administrators.” Still, Cox admits, the Forensic Evidence course, taught by the preeminent forensic expert Dr. Henry Lee and staff from the State Police Crime Lab, “fills up like a blockbuster rock concert. The day that class is posted on the Internet, the 35 spaces are immediately taken.” Lee, a nationally recognized crime scene expert consulted in the high-profile O. J. Simpson and Jon Benét Ramsey cases among hundreds of others, stated: “My teaching goals are to inform students of the newest technology in scientific investigations and to transfer my experiences to future law enforcement officers. And, typically, I find CCSU students are very devoted and eager to learn.” A Well-Respected Faculty Dr. Cox is primary author of Connecticut’s Study on Racial Profiling, the first such study in the nation; he brings extensive research experience to the department as a program evaluator for community policing and preventions initiatives. Author of 13 books, Dr. Ronald Fernandez, a sociologist, teaches ideology and violence, diversity and criminal justice. Dr. Jennifer Hedlund, experienced as an industrial and organizational psychologist, transitioned from being a research scientist at Yale to CCSU in order to do applied work. Her research has led to an overhaul of pre-trial decision-making. Hedlund directs the Internship Program, through which students are placed statewide in agencies, where they can develop professional relations to help further their careers. Dr. Damon Mitchell, a clinical psychologist, has research interests in sexual aggression, substance abuse, and military psychology. Dr. Raymond Chip Tafrate, director of the Criminal Justice Graduate program at CCSU, specializes in anger and aggression management and has co-authored two books on these subjects. He, along with colleagues Pease, Cox, and Dr. Renee White, has been working on a research project, funded by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services under a $400,000, four-year grant. The professors are evaluating youthful offender substance abuse treatment programs. Master’s Program Is a “Jewel” Kerry Richmond is Central’s first graduate student admitted to the University of Maryland’s top criminal justice doctoral program. She said, “Central professors don’t teach out of a book alone. My background is in social work, and hearing my fellow students, many of whom were police officers or working with juveniles on probation, raised the level of class discussion. I could see the relevance of what was being taught.” The Criminology and Criminal Justice Department, notable for its diversity, attracts a mix of students of different races and ethnicities from throughout the state; some are adult learners who already hold jobs. What unites them, Dr. Pease reflected, is “a sincere social commitment to help make the world a better and just place.” — Geri Radacsi |
|
Lat Modified: Thursday May 29, 2008 |
Pride is palpable in the Criminology and Criminal Justice Department.
“We’re the number one educator of criminal justice professionals in the
state,” raves Dr. Stephen Cox, chair. Dr. Susan Pease chimes in, “What
makes me glow is all the talent of our faculty and students in the
department.” She rushes on, “We place 100 interns in every major
criminal justice agency in the state each year. They’re out there,
visible, and making significant contributions. Members of the community
give their performance outstanding reviews.”