Criminal Justice News

CJ Graduate Students Tie the Knot!

alankford — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:33:52 +0000

On May 11, 2013, Department of Criminal Justice graduate students Michael Melendez and Heather Powers were married at Avondale Methodist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.

Congratulations to our new “power couple” — we wish you all the best!

Above: Michael and Heather celebrate with some of their professors and fellow Master’s students

Dr. Lichtenstein Wins Seed Fund Award To Research HIV Stigma Reduction

alankford — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 20:48:37 +0000

Dr. Bronwen Lichtenstein recently won a seed fund award from The University of Alabama’s Center for Community-Based Partnerships to aid her research on HIV stigma reduction.

Dr. Lichtenstein’s project will provide UA students in a sociology class with a service-learning opportunity to participate in a program designed to reduce stigma for community members who are living with HIV/AIDS. The two groups will meet together for structured, social activities with a goal of increasing trust and reducing stigma by fostering meaningful social interaction.

Above: Dr. Lichtenstein and Mr. Billy Kirkpatrick, West Alabama AIDS Outreach

Dr. Prohaska Speaks on “All Bodies Have Voice” Panel

alankford — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 03:20:22 +0000

On Thursday, April 25, 2013, New College students Amelia Brock, Ann Hataway, and Libby Loveless hosted an “All Bodies Have Voice” panel, which was part of a two-pronged project and focused on consent within relationships and the hook-up culture on college campuses.

The panelists, made up of UA students and faculty, each discussed different aspects of consent for the first half hour. The last half hour was a community conversation with audience members asking questions of the panelists.

Dr. Ariane Prohaska spoke about the social construction of sexuality, how time and place affect one’s views about sex, and about her research on “hogging” and exploitation of deviant bodies.

CJ and Sociology Students Excel at 2013 UA Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Conference

alankford — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 01:40:17 +0000

In The University of Alabama’s 2013 Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Conference, Criminal Justice and Sociology students performed exceptionally well.

Criminal Justice major and McNair Scholar Josh Moncrief won first place overall for his paper on “Attitudes of Correctional Officers in Tuscaloosa County.” Sociology minor Kasi Smart placed second for her paper on “Social Inequality after the Tornado: A Critical Analysis of Rebuilding Efforts.” Criminal Justice major and front office employee Danielle Crimmins won honorable mention for her paper, “Factors affecting Sexting among Undergraduate Students.”

Congratulations to these excellent students!

5th Annual Department Undergraduate Research Competition

alankford — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:44:53 +0000

The Department of Criminal Justice recently held its 5th Annual Undergraduate Research Competition. Students presented their original research in a number of exciting areas.

Danielle Crimmins, “Are Southern Belles and Southern Gentlemen Sexting?” (faculty mentor: Dr. Kate Seigfried-Spellar)

Kasi Smart, “Social Inequality After the Tornado: A Critical Analysis of Rebuilding Efforts” (faculty mentor: Dr. Ariane Prohaska)

Kellin Treadway and Emily Schmidt, “Pirates, Hackers, and Virus-Writers – Oh My!” (faculty mentor: Dr. Kate Seigfried-Spellar)

Amelia Warriner, “Homosexuals in the South” (faculty mentor: Dr. Hobson Bryan)

Results: Kasi Smart won 1st place, Amelia Warriner won 2nd place, and Danielle Crimmins and Kellin Treadway won 3rd place. Congrats to these excellent students!

Above: Kasi Smart with her award

Above: Amelia Warriner with her award

Above: Kellin Treadway with her award

Above: Danielle Crimmins with her award

Criminal Justice Career Fair A Big Success

alankford — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 22:34:34 +0000

The 2013 Alpha Phi Sigma, CJSA, and Department of Criminal Justice Career Fair was a great success! Between 75-100 students visited with such diverse employers as the FBI, US Marshals, and the United States Secret Service.

Alpha Phi Sigma wants to thank the employers for spending time with the Criminal Justice students, the Department of Criminal Justice for financial assistance, and CJSA for assisting in organizing and volunteering at the Career Fair. Thanks to everyone in the department who continually supports Alpha Phi Sigma events throughout the year!

And check out some photos from the event!

Department Honors 2013 CJ Award Winners

alankford — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:29:07 +0000

Congratulations to our 2013 Department of Criminal Justice Award Winners!

Chairperson’s Award of Merit: Katlyn Stricklend

James “Bo” Robertson Distinguished Undergraduate Award for Highest Academic Performance: Alan Last

Scott Deaton Endowed Scholarship in Criminal Justice: Danielle Crimmins

Above: Katlyn Stricklend and Department Chair Dr. Mark Lanier

Above: Danielle Crimmins, Department Chair Dr. Mark Lanier, and Alan Last

Graduate Students Honored For Excellence

alankford — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:23:59 +0000

On Graduate Student Honors Day, April 1, 2013, Michael Melendez and John McBrayer were co-recipients of the department’s Outstanding Graduate Student Award.

Pictured here are John McBrayer, Dr. Bronwen Lichtenstein (who presented the awards), and Heather Powers, who received the award on Michael Melendez’s behalf. Congratulations to these excellent students!

CJ Alumna Karla Williams Publishes Book On Relationship Red Flags

alankford — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:19:33 +0000

Department of Criminal Justice alumna Karla Williams (M.S., 1993; B.A., 1991) recently published a book about identifying red flags in relationships and leaving unhealthy relationships, called Know When To Run.

As she writes:

“Ever had your heart broken? Ever wondered if you should end a relationship, but your heart didn’t want to? Ever felt like something was missing in a relationship? True to life and often humorous remarks illustrating red flags to help break free of a bad relationship. After all, sometimes the healthiest thing you can do in a relationship is run.”

You can learn more about her book here.

Dr. Bronwen Lichtenstein Interviewed for “Brain Matters” Radio Show

alankford — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:22:13 +0000

Dr. Bronwen Lichtenstein was recently interviewed by B.J. Guenther, who hosts the WVUA radio broadcast show “Brain Matters” for student radio at The University of Alabama. She spoke about her research on sexually transmitted infections and about how stigma interferes with sex education, prevention, and treatment for STIs and HIV/AIDS.