School of Criminology and Criminal Justice Archives

Kids Donation Drive for local center runs through April 14

April 4, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

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.

RCASH faculty named inaugural Education Abroad Faculty Fellows

March 11, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University has announced its inaugural cohort of the Education Abroad Faculty Fellows program.

This year’s cohort consists of eight faculty members from a diverse range of disciplines. Among the eight are three members of the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) faculty.

Those individuals are Jeff Loughary from the Department of Languages, Cultures and Religions, Nikki Ferry from the Department of Theatre and Dance and Dr. William Harwood from the Department of Political Science and Philosophy.

Other selected Fellows are Dr. Benjamin Beranek from the College of Business, Clara Dickinson from the Darr College of Agriculture, Dr. Asif Ishtiaque from the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, and Kelly Dudley and Stephanie Urich from the McQueary College of Health and Human Services.

In addition, four RCASH faculty members served as content experts during the Fellows session in January. They were Joshua Albers from the Department of Art and Design, Dr. William Sandel from the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Dr. Leslie Seawright and Dr. Alan Tinkler from the Department of English.

“I was excited to work with the inaugural Education Abroad faculty cohort, sharing ways to weave general education goals and course learning objectives into their education abroad itineraries,” Seawright said. “It was a great conversation.”

“Study abroad is an incredible opportunity for both our faculty and students,” Sandel said. “I was happy to share some of my experiences regarding flexibility when planning and conducting a study abroad program.”

Scouts earn badges at MSU’s Merit Badge University

February 21, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University resumed its Merit Badge University (MBU) program by holding a one-day camp Jan. 25, 2025, on the Springfield campus.

In total, 116 scouts from St. Louis, Kansas City, Joplin, Lebanon, Webb City, Aurora, Carl Junction, Carthage, Ozark, Clever, Springfield, Republic, Nixa, Branson, Rogersville and St. Robert participated in the event.

Program director Dr. Michael Suttmoeller, associate professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and coordinator of the Conservation Law Enforcement Certificate, said several RCASH faculty volunteered to help the scouts earn various merit badges.

Suttmoeller acknowledged MSU’s faculty and RCASH Associate Dean Dr. Jason Jolley for their support and effort. “I really appreciate all of the hard work and preparation that they each did to deliver high quality courses for the scouts,” he said.

Reviving a great idea

When Suttmoeller learned that MSU had hosted a merit badge program several years ago, he decided reviving the program would be a great idea. He immediately began organizing the event, recruiting faculty and arranging the logistics.

“A merit badge university was previously held at MSU, with the last date being 2016. None had been held since that time until 2025,” Suttmoeller said.

“I have been exposed to merit badge universities at other institutions and recognized that this was a program that could benefit both Scouting America as well as MSU.”

MSU Mock Trial team wins first place at Mid-Missouri tournament

February 13, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Mock Trial team won the championship at the 2025 Mid-Missouri Mock Trial Invitational, held Jan. 25-26 in Columbia, Missouri.

The tournament was hosted by the Board of Advocates at the University of Missouri-Columbia Law School and Columbia College.

Two MSU Mock Trial teams competed in the tournament, according to Dr. Jennifer LaPrade, Mock Trial coordinator and associate professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

The first Mock Trial team won 6.5 out of eight ballots after competing against the University of Arkansas, the University of Missouri, Wheaton College and Southern Methodist University.

The second Mock Trial team also placed well, LaPrade added, winning five out of eight ballots after competing against University of Central Missouri, University of Missouri, Columbia College and Wheaton College.

LaPrade said the wins represent a “big step forward” for the team. “We’ll use this success as motivation to continue growing and improving.”

Six students posing with trophy — Champions of the Mid-Missouri Mock Trial Invitational! L-R: Hannah Killion, Kathryn Wagner, Kenta Otani, Josh Roberts, Zack Collison and Lanya Mangiapanello.

Now taking applications for CSI Camp 2025

February 6, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Back for its third year, Missouri State University’s Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) camp will host two full sessions during Summer 2025.

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

The first camp is scheduled for June 9-12. The second camp will be held July 28-31.

Sessions run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Since CSI camp is a day camp only, the university does not offer nightly accommodations or transportation to MSU from hotels.

Camp tuition remains $275 per camper, the same as last year. Tuition fees include a camp t-shirt and daily lunch.

Each camp can accept up to 40 students.