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Kids Donation Drive for local center runs through April 14

April 4, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Young woman looks at children's books from donation box

Kenzi Seay, a senior criminology and criminal justice major, has organized the Kids Donation Drive in coordination with the Greene County Family Justice Center (FJC).

Seay is collecting donations until April 14. The organization is asking for toys, books or children’s hygiene products.

Collections boxes will be available across campus until April 7. A collection box will remain in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice main office (Strong Hall, Room 207) until April 14.

But even after April 14, people can still help out.

“The Family Justice Center is always collecting donations for victims of domestic violence,” Seay said. “They also have volunteer opportunities, if you’d like to help in a hands-on way.”

Public affairs mission in action

According to senior instructor Caryn Saxon, the Kids Donation Drive was entirely Seay’s initiative and serves as an excellent example of Missouri State’s public affairs mission.

“I could not be more impressed and proud of Kenzi’s work on this,” Saxon noted. “She observed a problem, created a solution and then took action to make her vision a reality. Through her efforts, she is spreading awareness about FJC while also giving others a way to contribute to their mission.”

Seay volunteers at FJC and also interns with its partner agency, Legal Services of Southern Missouri. She began volunteering in October 2024 and started her internship in January 2025. Her duties include answering phones, clerical work and intake interviews.

“It’s a really interesting experience working as both an intern and volunteer in different parts of the building because I am able to see the process from start to finish in different roles,” she noted.

[Read more…] about Kids Donation Drive for local center runs through April 14

Filed Under: Announcements, Community Engagement, Cultural Competence, Ethical Leadership, RCASH Highlights, Student Accomplishments Tagged With: Caryn Saxon, Paula Rector, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, School of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences

Criminology graduate advocates for justice and community

January 21, 2025 by Damilola R. Oyedeji

Student sitting in classroom

When Haley O’Brien first visited Missouri State University in fall 2020, she knew she had found her home.

“I grew up in Marion, Iowa, but I knew I wanted to study out of state,” she said. “When I walked onto [the Missouri State] campus, I fell in love with the environment.

“The handwritten acceptance letter I received also made me feel like I was more than just a number here,” she added. “It felt like a community.”

And so, from the middle of Iowa to MSU, O’Brien has spent the past four years carving out her path in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Her passion for advocacy and restorative justice, combined with her education at MSU, shaped O’Brien’s journey. She now feels equipped to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

O’Brien graduated in December 2024 with a degree in criminology, a minor in sociology and certificates in victim advocacy, criminal courts and family and juvenile support services.

[Read more…] about Criminology graduate advocates for justice and community

Filed Under: Alumni, Community Engagement, Cultural Competence, Ethical Leadership, Feature, RCASH Highlights Tagged With: Caryn Saxon, Department of Sociology Anthropology and Gerontology, Jennifer LaPrade, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

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