Schedule of Events
Experiential Learning in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Nygreen Hall 1
This session will showcase student work in experiential learning, including research and internships, in the Criminology and Criminal Justice department.
Student Abstracts
Realities and Application: VCSO Cadet at Ojai Police Department
Brief Introduction:The City of Ojai is a small town that contracts the Sheriff’s Office to provide police services within city limits. The Ojai Police Department provides these services to the city and the unincorporated county areas surrounding Ojai. The challenges that face law enforcement may extend beyond patrol and to the day-to-day operations of a patrol station and the civilian staff that work there.
Purpose StatementAs I’ve explored the field of criminal justice, working at the Ojai Police Department has cemented my goals in having a career with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. By starting out as a volunteer and eventually becoming a Cadet, I have a much better understanding of the comprehensive background process required for all employees. As a Cadet I have obtained firsthand experience with homelessness and mental health, which are two of the greatest challenges that a community and its law enforcement face today. My duties as a Cadet include answering the phones, assisting people who come into the station, processing paperwork, transporting evidence, maintaining the station and units, working details and providing parking enforcement.
Creative Process:A PowerPoint will be presented discussing my work experience, in addition to covering homelessness and mental health as it relates to my role as a cadet.
Purpose StatementAs I’ve explored the field of criminal justice, working at the Ojai Police Department has cemented my goals in having a career with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. By starting out as a volunteer and eventually becoming a Cadet, I have a much better understanding of the comprehensive background process required for all employees. As a Cadet I have obtained firsthand experience with homelessness and mental health, which are two of the greatest challenges that a community and its law enforcement face today. My duties as a Cadet include answering the phones, assisting people who come into the station, processing paperwork, transporting evidence, maintaining the station and units, working details and providing parking enforcement.
Creative Process:A PowerPoint will be presented discussing my work experience, in addition to covering homelessness and mental health as it relates to my role as a cadet.
Student(s):
Michaela Boydston
Faculty Mentor:
Thomas Cady
Serving for Two District Attorney's Offices: An Experiential Account and the Lessons Derived
Purpose:
A personal account of the author's experience serving over 400 hours with two separate District Attorney's offices, each of which had distinguishable programs, vocations, and assigned duties. This includes the author's work as a law clerk for the Santa Clarita division of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, and his work as a counselor for the Family Justice Center of the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
Creative Process:
Explored through testimony of the selection process, a chronological account of the author's experience in the workforce, and culminates with an explanation of the lessons derived from the experience. The aforementioned content will be presented vocally with visual aids in the form of a digital slideshow presentation.
Conclusion:
This experiential learning experience solidified the author’s belief that youth involvement in criminal justice may prove to be an imperative element of one’s education, as supported by three pillars. These pillars include (1) youth involvement as a means of experiential learning, (2) as a means to consolidate or challenge one's vocation, and (3) as a means to tangibly help others. With these principles as its scaffolding, the presentation serves the purpose of encouraging youth to explore and involve themselves with criminal justice internships and other experiential learning opportunities.
A personal account of the author's experience serving over 400 hours with two separate District Attorney's offices, each of which had distinguishable programs, vocations, and assigned duties. This includes the author's work as a law clerk for the Santa Clarita division of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, and his work as a counselor for the Family Justice Center of the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
Creative Process:
Explored through testimony of the selection process, a chronological account of the author's experience in the workforce, and culminates with an explanation of the lessons derived from the experience. The aforementioned content will be presented vocally with visual aids in the form of a digital slideshow presentation.
Conclusion:
This experiential learning experience solidified the author’s belief that youth involvement in criminal justice may prove to be an imperative element of one’s education, as supported by three pillars. These pillars include (1) youth involvement as a means of experiential learning, (2) as a means to consolidate or challenge one's vocation, and (3) as a means to tangibly help others. With these principles as its scaffolding, the presentation serves the purpose of encouraging youth to explore and involve themselves with criminal justice internships and other experiential learning opportunities.
Student(s):
Lucas Brolin
Faculty Mentor:
Thomas Cady
What it is like Studying & Interning at Council for Court Excellence (CCE) in the District of Columbia.
Brief Introduction:
Following the restrictions of the COVID pandemic, the Lutheran College Washington Semester (LCWS) which is a Study Abroad Program, offered an opportunity to study and intern in Washington D.C. It is a perfect opportunity for Criminology majors because there is an array of different internships to align with any career goal you have. Having a background working in probation, I knew I did not like the process of the judicial system for adults or juveniles. With this realization, I was looking specifically for an internship working in policy, which brought me to Council for Court Excellence
Purpose:
I plan to encourage students on all the benefits of studying and interning in the District of Columbia. Not only does it extend your academic and professional career, but it also instills personal skills of independence and confidence. CCE’s mission is “to enhance the justice system in the District of Columbia to serve the public equitably.” I will use my experience with CCE to highlight the real world policy challenges that can impact our justice system.
Creative Process:
A PowerPoint will be presented discussing the program, my internship, and summary of my overall experience.
Following the restrictions of the COVID pandemic, the Lutheran College Washington Semester (LCWS) which is a Study Abroad Program, offered an opportunity to study and intern in Washington D.C. It is a perfect opportunity for Criminology majors because there is an array of different internships to align with any career goal you have. Having a background working in probation, I knew I did not like the process of the judicial system for adults or juveniles. With this realization, I was looking specifically for an internship working in policy, which brought me to Council for Court Excellence
Purpose:
I plan to encourage students on all the benefits of studying and interning in the District of Columbia. Not only does it extend your academic and professional career, but it also instills personal skills of independence and confidence. CCE’s mission is “to enhance the justice system in the District of Columbia to serve the public equitably.” I will use my experience with CCE to highlight the real world policy challenges that can impact our justice system.
Creative Process:
A PowerPoint will be presented discussing the program, my internship, and summary of my overall experience.
Student(s):
Kassidy De la Garza
Faculty Mentor:
Thomas Cady
Real World Experience with the Correction System - My Internship with Ventura County Juvenile Probation
Introduction
Participating in an internship with Ventura County’s Probation Agency while simultaneously taking the Inside-Out course has clearly captured the role probation truly plays in our criminal justice system; specifically regarding our community’s youth. Having insight into the organization can allow for a person to assess the effectiveness of probation within the criminal justice system. As a student of the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program I am able to hear the perspective of students who are in probation. This class allows me to add more in-depth meaning to my internship.
Purpose
Viewing probation as a potential career pathway I wanted to truly understand the essence of the job. I wanted to explore the real purpose of probation, layout the wide spectrum of divisions that the agency manages, as well as reflect on some of the agency’s daily struggles. The Inside-Out students have shared their first-hand experience in how the criminal justice system operates; its weaknesses and strengths. By working with them, as well as working in the Agency, I will have a well-rounded perspective of what this profession entails.
Creative Process
My experience with juvenile probation will be showcased in a Powerpoint format in which I will describe my involvement with the agency and what I have learned.
Participating in an internship with Ventura County’s Probation Agency while simultaneously taking the Inside-Out course has clearly captured the role probation truly plays in our criminal justice system; specifically regarding our community’s youth. Having insight into the organization can allow for a person to assess the effectiveness of probation within the criminal justice system. As a student of the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program I am able to hear the perspective of students who are in probation. This class allows me to add more in-depth meaning to my internship.
Purpose
Viewing probation as a potential career pathway I wanted to truly understand the essence of the job. I wanted to explore the real purpose of probation, layout the wide spectrum of divisions that the agency manages, as well as reflect on some of the agency’s daily struggles. The Inside-Out students have shared their first-hand experience in how the criminal justice system operates; its weaknesses and strengths. By working with them, as well as working in the Agency, I will have a well-rounded perspective of what this profession entails.
Creative Process
My experience with juvenile probation will be showcased in a Powerpoint format in which I will describe my involvement with the agency and what I have learned.
Student(s):
Ivon Sanchez
Faculty Mentor:
Thomas Cady