The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCJ) set an opening day enrollment record for new bachelor degree-seeking majors for the Fall 2025 semester.
“A total of 115 first-time new-in-college (FTNIC) and first-time transfer students joined us as criminology undergraduates,” said Dr. Brett Garland, director of CCJ. This number represented an increase of 21% over the corresponding 2024 numbers.
“Both new groups grew, but the most dramatic jump came from FTNIC students, rising nearly 30% to 80 students and surpassing our previous record of 67 set in 2015,” Garland said.
Expanded recruitment brings results
CCJ recently expanded its recruitment efforts, including hosting a fall open house event and conducting a summer introductory crime scene investigation camp for high school students.
Garland added that the Office of Marketing and Communications has been especially helpful with the School’s video and social media campaigns.
Open House event scheduled for Oct. 6
According to Garland, the School’s fall open house is its “most visible initiative.” The event attracts approximately 200 prospective students, he said.
This year’s open house event is set for October 6.
Morning activities include meeting prosecutors, FBI agents and other criminal justice professionals, virtual reality simulations and opportunities to visit with students and professors about the program. Participants will enjoy a guided tour of the campus during the afternoon.
CSI Camp enjoys continued success
The School also welcomed Dr. Michael Kyle as Assistant Director for Recruitment. Kyle has visited several high schools and community colleges and was instrumental in launching the summer Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Camp for high school students.
This summer, the School held CSI camps in June and July. Over 60 campers from across the Midwest, including Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas, attended this year, according to Christy Titus, Academic Administrative Assistant for CCJ.
“We had multiple students that have attended more than once,” Titus said. “We had one student that has attended all three years.”
CCJ leaders continued to exercise creativity and innovation with the camp’s curriculum. This year, they introduced new investigative techniques and instruction methods.
“We used a different practice for the blood spatter analysis,” Titus said. “We also used trained students to work as counselors with the campers, especially during the hands-on lab portions of the camp. Campers say they really enjoy the hands-on portions.”
Recruitment efforts like the open house and CSI camp reinforce each other, Titus noted. “We also have a number of previous campers that have attended our Open House event and have since become a ‘Bear’ themselves.”
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