Reynolds College Blog

Archives for December 2023

Setting himself up for a career in criminal law

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A criminology major and philosophy minor at Missouri State University, senior Zachary Arnold admits he is having the best time as a student and captain of the Mock Trial team.

He believes what he’s learning and experiencing will prepare him for a career in criminal law. He hopes to start law school in fall 2024.

“I want to specialize in criminal law after graduation in spring 2024 ,” Arnold said. “Currently, I’m undecided between prosecution or defense, but I’d ultimately like to become a judge someday.”

Arnold started planning to attend law school in his second semester at MSU. Eager to learn more about law, he decided to join the Mock Trial team.

Group of students stand for photo with trophies
MSU Mock Trial team poses in front of Strong Hall.

“Observing mock trials in Dr. Jennifer LaPrade’s evidence class made me realize I’d be able to learn more about criminal law, legal procedure, trial preparation and more through the criminology and criminal justice major than anywhere else,” Arnold said.

LaPrade is an assistant professor of criminology and Mock Trial team coach.

Arnold noted his classes have impacted him profoundly.

“Now, I have a better understanding of what justice is,” Arnold said. “I give all the credit in the world to the professors in this program who have gone above and beyond to invest in my education. Through this program, I’ve gained countless opportunities, friends and mentors I’m extremely grateful for.” [Read more…] about Setting himself up for a career in criminal law

Aaron Khaw switches out test tubes for cameras

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From biology to dramatic writing, Aaron Khaw, a second-year graduate student at Missouri State University, has explored many paths to fulfill his desire to be a film and TV producer.

Khaw is pursuing a master’s degree in dramatic writing in MSU’s Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film (CMJF).

Man stands on rocks in water
Aaron Khaw visits a lake at the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota.

A native of Malaysia, Khaw began his bachelor’s degree in biology at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota.

“Science was the ‘elite’ category in Malaysia,” Khaw said. “I also loved animals as a child and thought I would become a veterinary doctor, which is why I pursued biology in the first place.”

But when he was nearing graduation, Khaw was no longer confident about his science choice. He then moved to San Francisco for a short time, where he remembered his love for Hollywood.

“I grew up watching Hollywood shows and always wondered about the filmmaking process,” Khaw said. “So, I decided to pursue a film and television production certificate from Orange Coast College.”

In 2019, Khaw directed and edited the documentary titled, “Empty Vessel.” When it was chosen to be showcased at the Newport Beach Film Festival, he knew he had found the right path.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Khaw lost the opportunity to work as a production assistant for a Nike commercial in New York. So, he returned to Malaysia and worked as an editor and producer at Comberry Studios, a German media production company.

“I worked on short-form documentaries for about eight months,” Khaw said. “After that, I knew I wanted to come back to the U.S. for grad school, so I came to MSU.”

[Read more…] about Aaron Khaw switches out test tubes for cameras

MSU dominates at 2023 MMTA and MTNA auditions

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Students representing Missouri State University’s Department of Music won several awards at the Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) and Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) auditions, held Nov. 2-5 at University of Missouri-Kansas City.

MMTA auditions are yearly, state-level auditions held at different universities across Missouri every November.

Nineteen MSU students competed in a field of over 500 students in this year’s events. [Read more…] about MSU dominates at 2023 MMTA and MTNA auditions

Lt. Annesha Umbarger proudly serves as Springfield Police Officer

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Lt. Annesha Umbarger wasn’t sure what she wanted to do when she left the military.

But a “ride along” with a police unit pointed her toward a career in law enforcement.

“Being a police officer was not always on my radar,” Umbarger said. “All it took was that one day, and I knew at that moment, this is what I wanted to do. I loved the thought of helping people.”

Since then, Umbarger has proved to be a valuable member of the Springfield Police Department. Now a 16-year veteran of the force, Umbarger was promoted to Lieutenant in Nov. 2021, moving from patrol watch commander to supervising criminal investigations.

“As a patrol watch commander, it was my responsibility to oversee the allocation of our resources and deployment of officers in response to incoming calls for service and crime trends,” Umbarger explained. “It was also my responsibility to command critical incidents and major crime scenes.”

Now, a typical day for Umbarger ranges from briefings to monitoring calls for service to, at times, media interviews.

[Read more…] about Lt. Annesha Umbarger proudly serves as Springfield Police Officer

MFA student wins top award in international poster design competition

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Erin Sedra, MFA in Visual Studies student at Missouri State University, recently won the top award in the Social Activism category of the United States International Poster Biennial Exhibition for her poster “Ruthless.”

Sedra accepted her award at a ceremony in Ames, Iowa.

The exhibition will travel to venues in China, Poland, California, New York, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Iowa and additional locations yet to be announced.

“Ruthless” honors Ruth Bader Ginsburg while embracing social activism

Artwork white on dark blue background
“Ruthless” by Erin Sedra.

“The piece is titled ‘Ruthless’ and is an abstraction of RBG’s famous lace collar made from wire hangers,” Sedra said.

“When creating this piece, I was reflecting on my own grief I felt the night Ruth Bader Ginsburg died, and the fear for the future of women’s rights that accompanied the emotions of that evening,” Sedra added.

The poster was inspired by the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court ruling that made access to abortion a federal right.

“I wanted to reinvigorate the symbol of the coat hanger but stop the cliché and send a message that is a little ambiguous but not impossible to decipher,” Sedra explained.

The reference to the coat hanger relates to a previously used non-medically safe abortion. [Read more…] about MFA student wins top award in international poster design competition