Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology - Ball State University

Dr. Wendy Watson helped to make this happen! Dr. Watson was a volunteer investigative genetic genealogist (IGG) for the Ramapo College of New Jersey IGG Center, and worked on this investigation all of summer and early fall of last year. Thanks to the dedicated investigation conducted by Dr. Watson, the IGG Center, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, and several other partners, a sexual assault case from 1999 has finally led to an arrest!
https://www.charlottenc.gov/cmpd/News-Information/Newsroom/Sexual-Assault-Suspect-Arrested-and-Charged-in-27-year-old-Cold-Case-4.28

https://www.ramapo.edu/igg/about-us/cases/resolved/

Sexual Assault Suspect Arrested and Charged in 27-year-old Cold Case Charlotte, N.C. – (Tuesday, April 28, 2026) – Detectives with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department’s (CMPD) Cold Case Unit, with assistance from CMPD’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) and the Asheville Police Department, have arrested and charged Eric Lee Howard, 48, in conn...

In 2025, Dr. Kiesha Warren-Gordon lead students in a Virginia B. Ball Center project creating a podcast called "Better Together". These podcasts covered topics such as human trafficking, youth mental health, and the juvenile criminal justice system. Students had a chance to work with social workers and police officers. They also had the opportunity to learn about and research the Whitely neighborhood Adopt-A-Cop program.

Throughout the year, Indiana Public Radio and The Facing Project worked with our students on creating those podcasts. The students learned how to take those topics and turn them into scripts, they were coached on storytelling and writing for radio/podcasts, and learned interview techniques. Eventually, the students were able to see their efforts come to life when they got behind the mic. 🎙️✍️

On Sunday, April 26th at 6:30pm, the students first podcast, "Behind Closed Doors with Alexandria Gulachek", will be aired on Indiana Public Radio. We hope you tune in and help us celebrate the students hard work.

The other podcasts will be available Sunday on the Ball State Public Media YouTube Channel. Link below in the comments. ⬇️

Last Thursday, the Department held its annual Recognition and Awards Ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of our majors and community partners. Congratulations!

Neiman Scholarship 2026-2027 - Ariana Kamenjarin

Outstanding Interns - Jose Mancina and Allie Townsend

Outstanding Seniors - Micah Holder, Alexandra Ellenwood, Mavrick Leffel, and Brenda Lopez
Outstanding Juniors - Madelynn Alexander, Vanessa McComb, and Ava Wilson
Outstanding Sophomore - America Montoya Molinares
Outstanding Freshman - James Shaffer

Teacher-Scholar Program - Ambria Walls, Abi Holmes, Luz Ahuatl, Ren Brown, Shaelyn Davis, Braylon Arzate, America Montoya Molinares, Amelia Noelle, Zakara Ricard

Outstanding Internship Agency - Delaware County Community Corrections

Outstanding Internship Site Supervisor - Rob Helber (Youth Opportunity Center)

Community Partner Award 2025-2026 - Sgt. John Foy (Delaware County EMA)

CSH Dean's Advisory Board 2025-2026 - Emalee Veerkamp

CJC Graduate Assistants - Abbi Davis, DeKayla Elliott, Gio Guia

The Criminal Justice Department held a trauma-informed self-defense class on Saturday as part of Ball State University's Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Thank you to all of the students who came out and practiced unapologetically taking up space.

Join us at Take Back the Night! Right now - 6-8pm at Brown Amphitheater.

CJC professors Dr. Koslicki and Dr. Acquaviva will be leading a free trauma-informed self-defense class for Sexual Assault Awareness Week on April 18th from 2-4 pm at the Rec Center (RC212). Please spread the word! All students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend this free event.

Dr. Brittany Acquaviva will facilitate a discussion on the neurobiology of trauma, and Dr. Koslicki, a third-degree black belt (Sandan) in Judo, will lead participants through a series of evidence-based self-defense strategies.

All participants are encouraged to participate to the extent that they are comfortable. You can opt out of any technique; your autonomy is priority!

Ball State Center for Survivor Support

The Department is deeply grateful to everyone who donated yesterday as well as those who helped spread the word about the incredible work of our students, faculty, and staff. Thanks to your generosity and support, the Department raised $1881 to support student-centered activities and scholarship in the coming year, and we placed "in the money" for the Dean's Challenge.

We are proud of our alums and benefactors every day of the year, but we are particularly thankful for you all on OBSD.

Chirp, chirp!