Criminal Justice Sciences at Illinois State

05/07/2026

The CJS Spring 2026 Awards Ceremony was a smash hit! Alpha Phi Sigma, the Criminal Justice Association, and the Criminal Justice Graduate Student Association executive board members were among the student groups acknowledged.

Our award recipients were Samantha Rowan (Vitucci Award), Ziniya Jones (Wells Award), OreOluwa Lawson-Osideko (MLK Award), Alyssa Miller (Ellsworth Award), DaJa Edmondson (Barnes Award), Alanae Robinson (Adkins Award), and Brenna Jones (Outstanding Graduate Student Award).

Congratulations to all of our dazzling students and a special thank-you to all of our donors and attendees!

03/20/2026

Ever wished you could connect with and pick the brains of people who are actively working in different areas of the CJS field??

Pizza with the Pros is your opportunity!! Join us in just 1 week, Friday March 27th @ 3 pm in SCH 103 where we will have pizza, CJS professionals, and lots of wisdom being shared.

Come with questions & leave with answers. ALL students are invited. See you next week!

03/05/2026

Join us as Dr. Cody Walizer shares how our society is shaped through play and sport March 17th @ 6 pm!

02/27/2026

The "Locked Inside" forum by Criminal Justice Sciences Associate Professor Dr. Charles Bell exposes the hidden harms of school restraint and seclusion in children and their parents. The forum will take place on Tuesday, March 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. CT at the Normal Theatre, which is free for the public.

Secure your seats through the link below! https://tickets.normaltheater.com/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=539449~35dbfdce-d79f-4fa0-875c-6ed7bfd29434&epguid=d9f2c601-2438-4410-9b9a-8d75e2070143&mdy=3/3/2026&showing=539450&

https://news.illinoisstate.edu/2026/02/locked-inside-forum-by-dr-charles-bell-to-expose-hidden-harms-of-school-restraint-and-seclusion/

Criminal Justice Sciences Associate Professor Dr. Charles Bell will host the “Locked Inside” forum to expose the hidden harms of school restraint and seclusion practices.

02/27/2026

🛫🌎CJS is studying abroad in SEOUL this summer!! Join us for an unforgettable academic and cultural journey in one of Asia's most dynamic global cities! From June 20-July 4, you could earn 3-6 credit hours while learning about global justice in action. Apply by March 15th to save your spot!

For questions, email Dr. Kim at [email protected]. To apply go here: https://studyabroadapp.illinoisstate.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=30928

See you in Seoul!

Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is currently disabled. This site requires JavaScript support to run properly.

02/26/2026

It is officially Birds Give Back and CJS has a challenge donor!!!
25 Gifts. One Finish Line. $6,000 Unlocked.
Cathy ’90 and Mike Crane are cheering from the sidelines—once 25 supporters give to Criminal Justice Sciences during Birds Give Back, their $6,000 pledge is unlocked. Push us over the line and make it a winning run!

Here is the link to give:

Illinois State University proudly presents the Crime Scene Investigations Academy, an exceptional opportunity that goes beyond typical summer programs. It's a transformative journey that introduces aspiring Criminal Justice students to the science of Crime Scene Investigations.

01/06/2026

Did you know there are prestigious awards and generous scholarships available just for CJS students?!

Apply for a CJS scholarship before February 15, 2026 so that you can be considered!

Go here to apply: https://criminaljustice.illinoisstate.edu/academics/scholarships/

10/20/2025

We are so proud of our very own Dr. Jessie Krienert, Dr. Jeffrey Walsh, and alum Malia Kohls for winning the 2025 Outstanding Paper Award from the Journal of Crime & Justice and the Midwestern Criminal Justice Association for their article, “An Empirical Analysis of the (Un)Readability of Inmate Handbooks.”

Way to represent!

Dr. Jessie Krienert and Dr. Jeffrey Walsh from Illinois State University, along with alum Malia Kohls, won the 2025 Outstanding Paper Award from the Midwestern Criminal Justice Association.

08/28/2025

Next time you hear "CAST" around campus you'll know it stands for College of Applied Science and Technology!

08/27/2025

Take a listen to the newest episode of The PodCAST, featuring CJS alum and CAST Hall of Fame awardee Suzanne Montoya!

Suzanne is the current director of McLean County Probation and Court Services. Pull up a chair and dive into this conversation to hear about her experiences.

This episode of the PodCAST features a conversation with Suzanne Montoya, an alumna of the Department of Criminal Justice Sciences who serves as director of McLean County Probation and Court Servic…

08/18/2025

Are you new to CJS? Whether you are a new freshman or a new transfer student, we are inviting all NEW students to our Fresh 2 CJS Fall Kickoff & Career Showcase! You can expect food, fun, and an engaging opportunity to explore careers in CJS. You'll also meet your CJS team! Come & bring a friend this Thursday at 3:30! 🍂🎉🍕