Winona State University Criminal Justice

05/12/2026

It’s been an exciting week in the WSU Criminal Justice Program! Last week, we celebrated the graduation of many of our students from Winona State University. Next week, we’ll continue the celebration as our students graduate from Skills programs at Rochester Community and Technical College and Hennepin Technical College.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026. We are proud of all of your hard work and excited to see what comes next for each of you.

05/07/2026

Big thank you to the members of the WSU Criminal Justice Club for participating in the Adopt a Highway Program. The club officially adopted a stretch of Hwy 61 from Hwy 14 to Sundown Lane.

It is always great to see students stepping up and finding meaningful ways to serve their community outside of the classroom. We are excited to continue this partnership and help keep our community looking its best!

04/30/2026

The Criminal Justice Club organized an item drive to support the Family & Children's Center of Winona and the response across campus was incredible!

Students and faculty came together to donate items that will go directly to children and families in our community.

Our students took initiative and gave back in a meaningful way. Thank you to everyone who contributed!

04/17/2026

🚨Senior Spotlight🚨

Abigail Storey is an outstanding senior in the WSU Criminal Justice program. We asked Abigail about her time at WSU and this is what she said:

What is your favorite memory from your time in the WSU CJ Program?
One of my favorite memories was the trip to the Red Wing Correctional Faculty. Being able to tour it and learn more about it was such a great experience.

What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to move back home and work on finding a job post-graduation or go to grad school.

What will you miss about Winona State or the WSU CJ Program?
I will miss the community aspect of WSU; there was always something to do. Never a dull moment on or off campus.

What advice would you give other students?
To not take your time in college for granted. It truly flew by and was done before I knew it.

Is there a quote or a saying that you will always remember from one of your professors?
“If you get arrested, do not do it on a Friday, weekend, or a holiday. You’ll be waiting a lot longer for a judge” – Professor Dahly

What was your favorite class at WSU?
I enjoyed a lot of my classes at WSU. The ones I enjoyed most were my Family & Domestic Violence class and my Ethics in the Criminal Justice system class with Prof. Dahly. Both were great opportunities into helping me understand why I picked this degree and what more I want to do with it.

Do you play a sport at WSU or were you involved in any activities?
I was a part of the theater program for a year and the choral program for 3 years.

Where did you do your internship?
I did my internship at the Courthouse in Winona County with the Victim Advocate.

Were you involved in any clubs or organizations while attending WSU?
I was involved with the Criminal Justice Club.

Why did you pick Winona State Criminal Justice Program?
I have always had an interest in the Criminal Justice process. How it all worked and the many different side to it. At first, I took one class to see if I could see myself continuing in this field. After I did, I fully committed and never looked back. With the many opportunities I had throughout my time in the program. I was given many different chances to learn and have a better understanding of it all. Many good lessons that these are real people and that the criminal justice process is a long and complicated one.

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation, Abigail. you will be missed by the Criminal Justice faculty and students!

03/03/2026

🚨Senior Spotlight🚨

Phoenix Crass is an outstanding senior in the WSU Criminal Justice program. We asked Phoenix about her time at WSU and this is what she said:

What is your favorite memory from your time in the WSU CJ Program?
I have always enjoyed attending the criminal justice fair! I love talking to the corrections and law enforcement people who have worked hands on because it allows us to get personal experiences rather than just being taught in the classroom. The Alumni panels are a great way to ask WSU alum who were criminal justice majors some details about the transition from a student to someone who works in the system and that was very informative.

What are your plans after graduation?
Stay in Winona and work in victim advocacy!

What will you miss about Winona State or the WSU CJ Program?
Professor Dahly is truly my idol, and I look up to her so much, so probably just going into her office to talk about whatever new show is on at the time, aka the Bachelor, TSITP, or My Life with the Walter Boys!!

What advice would you give other students?
Please, please, please get involved. I have met some of my best friends by being a part of the campus, specifically the Criminal Justice Club because it allows people with the same major and interests to get together to talk about the Justice System!

What was your favorite class at WSU?
My favorite class at WSU was Forensic Interviewing of Children with Professor Keller because as I start learning about advocacy and talking to a victim, I have been able to use the techniques of an interview to have a personal conversation with a client.

Where did you do your internship?
I am set up to do my internship this summer at the Advocacy Center of Winona

Were you involved in any clubs or organizations while attending WSU?
WSU Student Senate and the Criminal Justice Club.

Why did you pick Winona State Criminal Justice Program?
I came into WSU as a Social Work major and I was not enjoying my classes, but CJ was my minor and I was loving my classes and after talking to Dahly I knew that I wanted to switch my major!

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation, Phoenix! You will be missed by students and faculty.

02/14/2026

Congratulations to you all - but especially Tori and Ty!!!! We are so proud of you. It’s a great day to be a Warrior.

The newest members of our department began their first week of the Criminal Justice Law Enforcement 720 Academy. We wish them luck and we will continue to update the community on their progress.

10/22/2025

🚨Senior Spotlight🚨

Alondra Villarreal is an outstanding senior in the WSU Criminal Justice program. We asked Alondra about her time at WSU and this is what she said:

What is your favorite memory from your time in the WSU CJ Program?
The football tailgate with the professors and CJ students.

What are your plans after graduation?
Skills at RCTC and then work in southwest MN.

What will you miss about Winona State or the WSU CJ Program?
The friends I’ve made here and the professors.

What advice would you give other students?
Use the resources Winona State offers. I didn’t until junior year and wish I did freshman year.

Is there a quote or a saying that you will always remember from one of your professors?
Norman: I’d rather listen to paint dry than listen to country music (yes he said listen to paint dry) 🤣

What was your favorite class at WSU?
Forensic Chemistry.

Where did you do your internship?
Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office and Lewiston Minnesota Police Department

Why did you pick Winona State Criminal Justice Program?
Not a lot of people from my high school went here and it’s really pretty town in the fall.

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation, Alondra! Your CJ professors will miss you.

10/16/2025

Our Criminal Justice Internship & Career Fair was an incredible success! We had over 50 agencies in attendance, students had the chance to explore careers, build connections, and meet with so many professionals, including several of our amazing WSU alumni who return every year.

Each year our fair grows, and this one truly felt like our best yet. Thank you to everyone who continues to support our students and help them take their next steps. ⚖️💜

10/10/2025

Last night, I had the honor of attending the swearing-in ceremony at the City of Rochester, MN Police Department, where two of our recent WSU Criminal Justice graduates, Emily Dunford and Marla Mendoza (Class of 2024), officially took their oaths as Rochester Police Officers.

We are so proud of Emily and Marla for their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to serving their community. Congratulations to both, your Warrior family is cheering you on as you begin this next chapter of service! 💜

10/07/2025

🚨Senior Spotlight🚨

Ali Ruch is an outstanding senior in the WSU Criminal Justice program. We asked Ali about her time at WSU and this is what she said:

What is your favorite memory from your time in the WSU CJ Program?
My favorite memory from my time in the WSU CJ program was the Criminal Justice Fair the year before completing my internship. It was so cool to get to talk to agencies I potentially wanted to intern at/ work for.

What are your plans after graduation?
My plan after graduation is to move to the Appleton area and look for a job there.

What will you miss about Winona State or the WSU CJ Program?
I will miss how close knit of a group we have and how easy everybody is to talk to and get along with.

What advice would you give other students?
Pay attention in class. The WSU CJ professors have so much knowledge and real-world experience to share with you!

Is there a quote or a saying that you will always remember from one of your professors?
I will always remember when Dr. Norman started trying to use slang and said "lets skibidy back" talking about resuming our lecture.

What was your favorite class at WSU?
My favorite class at WSU was Forensic Interviewing of Children with Professor Keller.

Where did you do your internship?
I did half of my internship at the Winona County Courthouse with Victim Services, and the other half at the Durand WI Police Department.

Why did you pick Winona State Criminal Justice Program?
I started my college career at UW Lacrosse and then transferred to WSU because I had heard that it was a really good CJ program.

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation, Ali! You will be missed.