UTEP Department of Criminal Justice & Security Studies

08/24/2026

Welcome, Miners! ⛏️🧡💙

Welcome back to campus! There’s something about the start of a new academic year that feels like a breath of fresh air—a fresh start, new possibilities, and new opportunities to learn and grow.

We’re excited to meet our new Criminal Justice and Security Studies students and to welcome back our returning students!

Come curious.
Come ready to learn.
Come ready to challenge yourself.
And most importantly, come ready to make this year count.

Here’s to a great year, Miners! ⛏️

GO MINERS! 🧡💙 ⛏️

07/28/2026

🎉 Global opportunities. Meaningful research. Student success.

We are incredibly proud of our graduate students, Maria Isabel Lopez and Shambavi Makeswaran, who are representing the UTEP Department of Criminal Justice and Security Studies at the prestigious International Security and Intelligence Programme at University of Cambridge.

Hosted at Emmanuel College, this internationally recognized program brings together leading scholars, intelligence professionals, and security practitioners from around the world to explore today’s most pressing global security challenges.

Maria Isabel and Shambavi were selected to participate this past spring, with Maria Isabel Lopez earning the highly competitive Dearlove Fellowship, awarded by the program’s Board of Trustees to support exceptional participants.

Throughout the four-week program, students conduct advanced research under the guidance of international experts. Maria Isabel’s research focuses on terrorism, while Shambavi is examining deepfakes, digital authoritarianism, and malign influence operations in U.S. national threat assessments.

Next week, both students will present their research at the program’s conference alongside academics and intelligence practitioners from around the world.

This achievement reflects not only their hard work and dedication, but also the caliber of scholarship within our Department of Criminal Justice and Security Studies. Congratulations to both students—we can’t wait to see where this experience takes you!

06/23/2026

🚨 Introducing the DEA Collegiate Academy 🚨

The Department of Criminal Justice and Security Studies Student Organization is proud to partner with the El Paso DEA to launch the DEA Collegiate Academy.

This unique opportunity will provide students with firsthand exposure to the mission, operations, and career opportunities within the Drug Enforcement Administration while gaining valuable insight into federal law enforcement.

📋 Applications are now open and will be accepted through MineTracker.

📅 Application Deadline: August 20

For additional information and to apply, visit Minetracker.

We encourage all students interested in criminal justice, federal law enforcement, and public service careers to apply.

05/21/2026

The photographs from the Department Spring 2026 Award Ceremony are now available on our page — enjoy!

Congratulations again to all of our award recipients and graduates on your accomplishments. We are incredibly proud of each of you and wish you continued success in all that you do. Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have truly paid off, and we cannot wait to see the impact you will make in your careers and communities. 🎓👏

05/21/2026

05/19/2026

From UTEP student-athlete, to CCJ graduate student, to CJ adjunct, and now a Ph.D. graduate from University of Nevada, Las Vegas — congratulations Dr. Nikol Cebak!

Your journey is a powerful example of perseverance, growth, and dedication to the field of criminology. We are so incredibly proud of you and all that you have accomplished. From the classroom to the profession, you have continued to inspire those around you every step of the way.

And no matter where the journey takes you next… once a Miner, always a Miner! ⛏️🧡💙

We can’t wait to see the impact you will make as a new criminologist. The future is bright, Dr. Cebak! 🎓👏

05/18/2026

Thinking about advancing your career in criminal justice? 🚔⚖️

UTEP Online offers a fully online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice designed for working professionals, including law enforcement officers across Texas.

✔️ 100% online and flexible
✔️ Peace Officer Tuition Exemption available for eligible officers
✔️ Focus on criminal justice issues along the U.S.–Mexico border
✔️ Transfer and military credit opportunities
✔️ Courses in criminology, criminal law, corrections, policing, court systems, and research methods

Whether you’re looking to promote, transition into federal service, strengthen your professional knowledge, or finally finish your degree — this program was built with working professionals in mind.

📚 Learn more about admissions, tuition assistance, curriculum, and how to apply through ApplyTexas in the slides below.

📞 Questions? Contact UTEP Online at 1-800-684-UTEP
🌐 utepconnect.utep.edu

05/18/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Misty Duke on the publication of her article, “Interviewee Decision-Making in Response to Interview Tactics Meant to Create the Illusion of Knowing It All,” recently published online in Psychiatry, Psychology, and Law.

Her research explores the effectiveness of strategically presenting evidence to suspects during police interviews and highlights important implications for investigative interviewing practices. This publication is the result of a grant she received from the FBI in 2020.

We are proud to celebrate Dr. Duke’s continued contributions to criminal justice research and scholarship!

05/15/2026

To all of our graduates from the UTEP Department of Criminal Justice & Security Studies… congratulations! 🎓🧡

Whether you earned your bachelor’s degree or your master’s degree, graduation represents years of hard work, sacrifice, perseverance, and growth. You survived the deadlines, the research papers, the group projects, the stress, and the moments when you questioned whether you could make it through — and yet, here you are.

As you move into careers in criminal justice, security studies, law, investigations, corrections, victim advocacy, research, leadership, and public service, remember that this field needs professionals with integrity, compassion, critical thinking, and courage.

We are incredibly proud of the future you are stepping into and honored to have been part of your journey.

Once a Miner, always a Miner. Picks up! ⛏️

Congratulations, Class of 2026! 🎉

05/12/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Charles Larratt Smith, Dr. Paul Ashby, Dr. Jeremy Slack from Sociology & Anthropology, and Dr. Raul Holguín from Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez on presenting at the inaugural event for the U.S.-Mexico Faculty Collaboration Fellowship 🇺🇸🇲🇽📚

The team shared initial research findings from this collaborative international project, which is being led by Dr. Charles Larrat Smith after securing funding for the initiative.

The event was also attended by Heather Wilson, President of The University of Texas at El Paso.