On Monday, April 25, 2016, Alpha Phi Sigma – Sigma Mu Sigma was awarded with three STAR (Student Talent and Recognition) Awards for their outstanding efforts through the 2015 – 2016 academic year at Missouri State University. 

Outstanding Sophomore – Kristen Spangenberg

Kirsten is a highly motivated young lady who has sophomore standing with her time spent at Missouri State University, but has excelled through classes at an astonishing speed, which has earned

her many college credits.  She serves as the Undergraduate Vice President for Alpha Phi Sigma – Sigma Mu Sigma, and also holds an officer position with Missouri State University’s Criminal Justice Society.  Upon the 2016 – 2017 academic year, she hopes to be enrolled in the Accelerated Master’s Program in Criminology and Criminal Justice, while she takes on the role of Undergraduate President with Alpha Phi Sigma – Sigma Mu Sigma.

Outstanding Faculty Advisor – Ms. Ivy Yarckow-Brown

Ms. Yarckow-Brown began in the role of faculty advisor for Alpha Phi Sigma – Sigma Mu Sigma in August of 2005.  Prior to her advising, only 75 students were members of Missouri State University’s Alpha Phi Sigma chapter, since her arrival over 200 more members have joined.  Eight years ago, Ms. Yarckow-Brown created the Annual Missouri State University Criminology and Criminal Justice conference, which Alpha Phi Sigma – Sigma Mu Sigma has hosted for eight consecutive years with attendance being over one thousand participants per year.  She is also serving from 2016-2018 as a National Advisor for Alpha Phi Sigma.

Accolades

For their collaboration with students from Missouri State University’s Media and Film Department, the Springfield Police Department, Greene County Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri State University Public Safety Office, and Greene County’s Medical Examiner’s Office, Alpha Phi Sigma – Sigma Mu Sigma, won accolades. Two students from the Media and Film Department, Josh Pfaff and Andrew Westmaas, were seeking assistance from the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice Department in assuring depicted accuracy and portrayals in crime scenes, behaviors of law enforcement officers, appropriate terminology, and more in their short film entitled “Counting to 1000.”  More than sixteen hours were spent on film sets and many, many hours were spent behind the scenes preparing for the development of this project, which has already won three other awards in addition to this newly received STAR.