Community Building Initiatives

The School of Criminal Justice has been committed to building an inclusive environment for every constituent in its community. We solidified our commitment to creating an inclusive environment in 2018 with the implementation of our Strategic Plan.

 

 

 

Timeline of Community Building Initiatives

 

2018


January:

  • The Student Success Team was created to enhance the Undergraduate Learning Experience for all Criminal Justice Undergraduate Students.

April:

  • The School hosted a public screening of the documentary  "Break The Chain"
  • The break room in Baker Hall was renovated to improve communal space for students, faculty, and staff.

July:

August:

  • A School Climate Survey was conducted to assess the current climate of the School.
  • The first Welcome to Baker Hall event was held for incoming Undergraduate students.

September:

  • The School of Criminal Justice attended the Crosstown Showdown between the Lansing Lugnuts and MSU Spartan Baseball Team.
  • The School of Criminal Justice held a Fall Picnic for its members
  • The Faculty Spotlight Series was created to feature the work our faculty are doing to advance justice globally.

October:

  • An open-to-all Meet & Greet was held to welcome the Jeff & Alli Rojek to the School.
  • A Halloween Cider & Donuts social was held for faculty and students.
  • The Undergraduate Spotlight Series was created to feature the work our Undergraduate Students are doing to advance justice globally.
  • The Graduate Spotlight Series was created to feature the work our Graduate Students are doing to advance justice globally.

November:

  • Webspace was created for the School of Criminal Justice Graduate Student Organization on the School's website.

December:

  • A School Cookie Exchange was held to allow faculty, staff, and students to share treats and recipes with eachother.
  • The annual SCJ Door Decorating Contest began where faculty, staff, and students decorate their office doors with various holiday themes.

 

2019

 

March:

  • The School held a screening of the documentary "Policing the Police" with an open public forum for discussion about policing in the modern era.

April:

  • Multiple members from the School of Criminal Justice ran the Izzo 5K together to raise money for local charities.

September:

  • The School held an event to spotlight Dr. Cobbina-Dungy's book "Hands Up, Don't Shoot"

November:

  • A School-wide Luncheon was held in Snyder-Phillips to allow for faculty, staff, and students to interact over lunch.
  • The School held a screening of the documentary "The Uncondemned" and held an open public forum for discussion afterwards.

 

2020

 

February:

  • The School provided funds for faculty, staff, and students to attend DEI Training.
  • The School of Criminal Justice DEI Committee held a focus group with SCJ Graduate Students to better understand their concerns and how we can best address graduate student needs.

May:

August:

  • Members of the School recorded "Welcome to MSU" videos for our incoming students who were unable to be on campus due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

November:

  • An Ask-Me-Anything (AMA) series featuring faculty and alumni began to create more opportunities for Undergraduate & Graduate students to meet alumni of the School and learn more about possible career paths with a Criminal Justic edegree.
    • The first AMA was with SCJ Alum Dave Porteous

December:

  • AMAs were held with Dr. Tom Holt (Professor) and Seth Sattler (Alum)
  • Members of the School recorded "Congratulations on your Graduation" videos for our graduating students who were unable to walk at commencement due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

2021

 

March:

  • Space was created on the School's website to feature Undergraduate Research Opportunities available for students.

April:

  • The School of Criminal Justice DEI Committee held The Human Library Event that allowed students and faculty to share their experiences. 

August:

  • CJ 395 (Race, Crime and Justice) was first offered to students at Michigan State University.

November:

  • Dr. Karen Holt & Brenna Helm received the Creating Inclusive Excellence Grant to conduct work to build community and engagement in the School.
    • This funding would be used to create the Social Justice Thursday series that was held during the Spring 2022 semester.

December:

  • The School welcomed Op-Eds from students to discuss holiday safety, counterfeit items, and crime around the holiday season.


2022

 

January:

  • The School of Criminal Justice DEI Committee began a training series with Truth & Titus.

February:

  • AMA was held with Faron Paramore (Alumni).

March:

  • AMA was held with Robert Lacommare (Alumni).

April:

  • School of Criminal Justice Advisors & Undergraduate Director created a New Student Orientation Video to help incoming students learn more about their degree in Criminal Justice.
  • AMA was held with Steve Francis (Alumni).

May:

  • Dr. Cobbina-Dungy, Dr. DeJong & Kaelyn Sanders Receive MSU Graduate School Funding to improve racial & ethnic dispairty in Graduate Programs.

October:

  • Began posting a news article on the School's website featuring a list of every member of the School of Criminal Justice who would be speaking and presenting at the annual ASC conference.
  • AMA was held with Tim Plancon (Alumni).

November:

  • The School began utilizing its website and social media channels to promote faculty research labs.
    • The first utilization of this was to promote a TRUSST Lab Focus Group Opporunity.
  • AMA was held with Marlon Lynch (Alumni).

December:

  • The Letter From The Director/School Newsletter was revamped to be sent to all students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the School.

 

2023

 

January:

  • Intelligence Analysis Panel was held for students interested in a career in Intelligence Analysis or a degree in Inteligence Analysis.
  • AMA was held with Veerle Goudswaard (Alumni).

February:

  • AMA was held with Scott Campau (Alumni).

April:

  • Cybercrime & Cybersecurity Panel was held for students interested in a career in Cybercrime & Cybersecurity.

June:

DEI