Schedule of Events

In an effort to expose myself to the different opportunities within the Criminology and Criminal Justice major, I applied to be a junior researcher at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Following my acceptance, I spent eight weeks in Detroit researching communities, crime, and criminal justice, and also collecting primary data from Detroit residents about their perceptions of crime in their neighborhoods. This experience served to expose me to new careers in criminal justice and ultimately motivated me to apply to graduate school.

As a junior researcher at Wayne State University, my responsibilities included primary data analysis, secondary data analysis, SPSS data entry, intensive literature, and the development of a research poster/presentation for the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. The main bulk of my experience was dedicated to examining how prior police interactions may affect Detroit citizens’ willingness to formally or informally intervene in a crime incident. This experience ultimately taught me that research is the foundation of all policy responses and reform initiatives, and the pinnacle of all productive change in the criminal justice system. This presentation will aim to characterize the vitality of research in criminal justice and also inspire other students to pursue research opportunities.

*This presentation will be conducted with a PowerPoint with more information and will be approved by the Criminal Justice faculty sponsors before presented.

Recovery for survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) is a complex process that calls for individualized trauma-informed care. CSEC survivors may face numerous challenges in their path to recovery and restoration.
Through the Human Trafficking service-learning course, my group and I provided research findings for ZOE International, an anti-child trafficking organization, to support their goal of using equine therapy to help youth who need to heal from the harm of trauma and exploitation. Our research found scholarly evidence supporting the effectiveness of animal therapy, such as equine therapy, for promoting the path to restoration and for building life skills.
My group conducted research primarily relying on academic and peer-review journals to learn about best practices in the field. We will be presenting our research and our recommendations to ZOE staff through a PowerPoint presentation and through a written summary of our findings. I also highlight these recommendations in the Festival of Scholars presentation.

Brief Intro:
In pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice, I found a love and passion for criminal defense. During my work with the Ventura County Public Defender’s Office, I learned about how the work of the attorneys and investigators, which is often viewed as unprofessional and scrutinized for defending those who have done harm, was performed by qualified, passionate staff who receive little recognition. I came to view public defense as one of the most critical and selfless lines of work within the field of law.
Purpose Statement:
As an investigative intern at the Ventura Public Defender’s Office, I was responsible for assisting any investigator or sentencing specialist with gathering/organizing evidence, obtaining medical records, interviewing clients and witnesses, and any other task that was requested by an attorney in the office. During my time, I often interacted directly with clients. I used observation and interview methods with both clients and staff throughout the course of my internship. An investigator once told me that public defense is 95% defending the defenseless, and 5% having to defend genuinely bad people. And even those 5% deserve a fair trial that gives them the proper consequence in a system that notoriously takes advantage of the disadvantaged. This presentation will aim to highlight the value of public defense and discount the negative stereotypes that are frequently associated with it.

Brief Intro:

From my youth, I knew that the Criminal Justice field was an area that I wanted to pursue. Particularly, the area I am most interested in has remained crime prevention and rehabilitation for juveniles within the justice system. Through Ventura County Probation (VCPA), I have come to know the dire situation facing the youth within this county. And, they are simply one of many organizations that are working to combat the high rate of juvenile delinquency in our cities. As I have worked alongside VCPA, I have come to understand the importance of Rehabilitation and Care that youths need to truly reduce recidivism. 

Purpose Statement:

While working with the Ventura County Probation Agency, I was assigned to work in the Programming Administration building within their Juvenile Facility.   I was assigned to file requests from juveniles in the facility, assist in programming for youths in commitment and detention, while coming to learn and understand the duties that Probation officers are tasked with. I have come to learn what is necessary to rehabilitate juveniles as well as the struggles the youth face which brought them into the juvenile justice system. This presentation will focus on how to advocate through care and ensure proper programming for juveniles within the juvenile justice system.
Creative Process:

I will utilize PowerPoint to present this information during the FoS which is to be approved by the Criminology & Criminal Justice Department.