Christy Titus Archives - Reynolds College Blog

Now taking applications for CSI Camp 2026

February 12, 2026 by Reynolds College

Missouri State University’s Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) camp celebrates its fourth year with two full sessions during Summer 2026.

Incoming high school students — freshmen through seniors — are eligible to attend. The program is sponsored by the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Camp 1: June 8-11, 2026
Camp 2: July 27-30, 2026

How to apply

Applications are being accepted online.

CSI Camp tuition is $275 per camper. Tuition fees include a camp t-shirt and daily lunch.

Sessions run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

This is a day camp that does not include breakfast, dinner, nightly lodging or transportation to and from the camp each day.

Each camp can accept up to 40 students.

Learn more

Emphasis on immersive learning

CSI Camp remains a popular option to introduce high school students to the world of criminology and criminal justice.

Campers participate in immersive learning activities such as collecting and reading fingerprints, analyzing blood spatter and ballistic analysis. They will even work a mock crime scene during their session.

Contact information

Registration, payment and administrative assistance: Christy Titus.

Camp curriculum: Dr. Michael Kyle.

General questions: School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at 417-836-3799 or criminology@missouristate.edu.

Check out CSI Camp

School of Criminology and Criminal Justice enjoys record enrollment for Fall 2025

August 28, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

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

Flyer advertising an open house — Click on the image to download the CCJ 2025 Open House flyer.

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.

Fourth annual Judy Awards celebrate Reynolds College excellence

May 14, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) held its fourth annual Judy Awards May 2, 2025, at The Old Glass Place.

Two women standing at podium during ceremony. — Jennifer Murvin and Dr. Judith Martinez hosted the 2025 ceremony.

The event honors the legacy of Judith Enyeart Reynolds by celebrating the achievements of faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends within the RCASH community.

RCASH Associate Dean Dr. Jake Simmons opened the ceremony, followed by hosts Dr. Judith Martinez and Jennifer Murvin, who announced the 2025 winners. RCASH Dean Dr. Shawn Wahl then presented the Dean’s Awards.

Mock Trial students recognized

For the first time, the Judy Awards recognized a student organization for its achievements. Missouri State’s Mock Trial Team, from the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, received the Dean’s Champion Award.

“The Mock Trial Team is the first student group being recognized with a Judy Award,” Wahl said, adding that the team competes at regional and national levels.

“I am especially proud of our students who compete against larger public and private universities,” he said.

Two staff members merit recognition

Another first this year was to recognize two Staff Impact Award recipients instead of one. The awards went to Christy Titus of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and James Chang from the Department of English.

“The Staff Impact Awards recognize outstanding Reynolds College staff who focus on building and maintaining conditions of excellence for students and faculty,” Wahl said. “Christy and James are both deserving of this special recognition.”

English department wins award of distinction

The awards ceremony concluded with the Department of English receiving the Dean’s Award of Distinction for excellent performance as an academic unit over the past year.

“The English Department continues to raise the bar with high quality research and teaching innovation, including graduate program expansion,” Wahl said. “In addition, the department maintains robust dual credit offerings.”

Awards commemorate Reynolds’ legacy

Named in honor of Reynolds, a dedicated staff member and role model for many years in the English department, the Judy Awards cover a variety of contributions to the college, ranging from traditional awards in teaching, research and service to those that recognize collaboration and other efforts that highlight the pillars of the University’s public affairs mission.

Except for the Dean’s awards categories, winners were nominated either by their peers or self-nominated, then selected by representatives from each academic department serving on the Judy Awards selection committee.

CSI Camp brings future crime solvers to MSU campus

June 24, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The first of two CSI Camps, hosted by Missouri State University’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, was held June 10-13.

High school students from around the Midwest, including Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Illinois, attended this year.

The camp offers introductory training in basic criminal evidence-gathering techniques, such as fingerprinting, blood spatter analysis and plaster casting.

Now in its second year, the June camp enjoyed full enrollment of 40 students. The second camp will be held July 8-11.

Expanded training, smaller groups for 2024 camp

According to assistant professor Dr. Samantha Tjaden, camp organizers used what they learned from the 2023 camp to base the 2024 experience on what students want to learn.

“We have added more hands-on experiences to our camp from last year,” Tjaden said. “For example, we were very lucky to have Springfield Police Department investigators come share their experiences with our campers this year. We have also evolved the blood spatter component of our camp to include Luminol.”

“Both years that we have had the CSI camp have been an amazing experience but—like anything—we are learning and adapting to the needs of our campers,” she added.

Teacher explains a procedure to a student — Kamina Andrisevic listens as Dr. Tjaden explains fingerprinting techniques.

Ideas for 2025 camp in the works

Tjaden is not only one of the camp faculty instructors, she also serves on the planning committee with fellow camp instructor Dr. Michael Kyle. Tjaden lends her professional expertise and assists with content delivery and development.

“Professors Kyle and Tjaden are superb at connecting and building rapport with high schoolers, and they both have a wonderful ability to explain complex aspects of forensics in very down-to-earth ways,” said Dr. Brett Garland, head of the criminology and criminal justice school.

Camp organizers are already planning more techniques and topics for 2025, according to Garland.

“I’m looking forward to us integrating more on the search and seizure and interrogation side—since both are critically important to successful investigations—and maybe running interactive scenarios in those areas,” he said.