Criminal justice programs update by Steve Brandl, Chair, Department of Criminal Justice
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fter more than 30 years of dedicated service to the Department of Criminal Justice and to the profession, Professor Carl Pope has retired from the University (see cover story). Pope came to the University when the criminal justice programs were in their infancy. His work and leadership have helped make the Department of Criminal Justice what it is today: a vibrant, dynamic and exciting place to learn and work. We are all very appreciative of the work of Professor Pope. The department has hired Michael Harrington, a former UWM Criminal Justice student (BSCJ ’91, MSCJ ’95), as a senior lecturer to help fill the shoes of Carl Pope. Harrington is currently completing his Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska–Omaha. He will be teaching research methods, violence and corrections courses beginning in fall 2008. The Criminal Justice faculty continues to be heavily involved in significant research activities. For example, Associate Professors Rick Lovell, Steve Brandl and Will Pelfrey are currently conducting research supported by a four-year, $520,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Justice to evaluate numerous anti-violence strategies implemented in the Milwaukee Public Schools. The project, titled “Safe Schools Healthy Students” (see story on p. 4), involves partnerships with MPS along with several other community agencies, including the Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee Fire Department, Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office and Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division. In addition, Assistant Professor Kimberly Hassell is working with the City of Racine to evaluate their Weed and Seed initiatives and is also conducting a workplace climate analysis in the Fargo, N.D., Police
Department. Assistant Professor Tom LeBel continues as a co-investigator on the Supporting Jails in Providing Substance Abuse Services for Women project and is conducting research on prisoner reintegration and stigma. Assistant Professor Tina Freiburger is continuing her research on the effects of race and gender on criminal sentencing decisions and is also conducting research on the effects of Megan’s Law on rates of sexual offending. The Department of Criminal Justice has begun preparations for the 21st Annual Criminal Justice Career Day, to be held on March 31, 2009 in the Student Union. The 2008 Career Day proved to be the biggest and best ever, with over 50 federal, state, local and private agencies represented. In fact, it is a great testament to the quality of the UWM criminal justice programs that many of the agency representatives at the Career Day were former (or current) UWM Criminal Justice students! All students are invited to attend the Criminal Justice Career Day. The Department thanks Theresa Payton Myrick for her efforts in planning and organizing the Criminal Justice Career Day. With funding from the A.P. Sloan Foundation, the Department of Criminal Justice continues to develop and offer a hybrid learning program where courses provide face-to-face and online instruction. Last year, Administration of Criminal Justice (CRM JST 370) was taught be Dean Stan Stojkovic, and Policing the Multicultural Community (CRM JST 592) was taught by Assistant Professor Kimberly Hassell. In fall 2008, Corrections Process (CRM JST 273) is being offered by Assistant Professor Tom Lebel.
Watch for the 21st Annual Criminal Justice Career Day coming in March 31, 2009
Finally, the Department congratulates master’s student Bryan Bubolz as the recipient of the Chancellor’s Fellowship Award for 2008-2009. Bubolz will receive $7,250 to assist with educational expenses.
FALL 2008 interactions
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