WSU Criminal Justice and Criminology

05/08/2026

Our very own Complex Social Interactions Lab, led by Dr. David Makin and his team — Christina Shellabarger, Shlok Tomar, and Sayani Ghosh — has just unveiled an AI tool that could transform how officers respond to domestic violence calls. The app provides real‑time guidance, translation support, and instant legal information, all designed to protect victims and prevent critical mistakes in the moments that matter most. Agencies across Washington are already testing it, and the potential impact is enormous.
https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/wsu-ai-app-guide-officers-domestic-violence-incidents/293-0edffa41-90aa-4c6d-b85e-c16e964c198d

With funding from the state legislature, the CSI Lab is now recruiting law enforcement agencies, victim advocates and other partners to test the system in real time.

04/15/2026

is here, and our Criminal Justice and Criminology students are ready to change the world.
From studying policing and corrections to exploring the roots of crime and inequality, our students are committed to creating meaningful change in their communities.

Your generosity supports scholarships, research experiences, and the innovative teaching that makes WSU a leader in criminal justice education.

When Cougs support Cougs, incredible things happen.
Give today and help our students continue to rise. ❤️🤘

https://crmj.wsu.edu/i-want-to-give/

02/26/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Francis Boateng!

We are thrilled to celebrate our own Dr. Francis Boateng for receiving the ACJS Minority Mentorship Grant Award. Dr. Boateng serves as an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice & Legal Studies at the University of Mississippi. He is also a fellow at the Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies, the Africa Institute for Crime, Policy & Governance Research, and a research fellow with the Mississippi Crime and Justice Research Unit.

Dr. Boateng earned his MA (2012) and PhD (2015) from the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Washington State University. We are proud to see a WSU alumnus making such impactful contributions to the field. In 2025, he received the department’s Distinguished Alumni Scholar Award and served as the keynote speaker at our annual awards ceremony.

If you will be attending the ACJS Annual Conference, March 3–7, please take a moment to congratulate him in person.

GO COUGS!

ACJS would like to congratulate Dr. Francis D. Boateng, Ph.D of University of Mississippi for winning the Minority Mentorship Grant Award!

Join us in celebrating him during our Annual Meeting March 3-7th!

02/10/2026

Our very own Dr. Neuilly got to meet some amazing people (and mascots!) at the events this weekend! We are so excited to welcome our future WSU students this Spring, and can't wait to meet you all! Go Cougs! 😼

More info about Experience WSU can be found here: https://admission.wsu.edu/visit/admitted-student-events/
🐾

12/10/2025

Happy Holidays from the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology! 🎅

12/01/2025

This Giving Tuesday, we’re not just celebrating the impact of education — we’re celebrating the moments that made your time at WSU unforgettable.

From late-night study sessions in the Criminal Justice & Criminology department, to friendships formed in the classroom, to that one project or event that still makes you smile — we know you carry special memories from your time here.

We’d love to hear from you: What’s one happy memory from your time in the Criminal Justice & Criminology department at WSU?

Your stories remind us of the community we’ve built together and inspire current students to create their own lasting memories. Go Cougs!

If you’d like to help future Cougs make memories of their own, please consider making a gift today at https://crmj.wsu.edu/i-want-to-give/

11/20/2025

Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology – Giving Tuesday December 2, 2025

This Giving Tuesday, we’re celebrating the transformative power of education. 👩‍🏫

We know that for many of our alumni, one class or one professor made all the difference — shaping your career path, inspiring your passion, or changing the way you see the world.

👉We’d love to hear from you: Which class or professor changed your life or career path?

Share your story in the comments below and help us honor the incredible impact of our faculty and program. Your reflections not only inspire current students, but also remind us why supporting the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology matters.

If you’d like to help us continue making that kind of impact, please consider making a gift today.

Criminal Justice and CriminologyI Want to Give I Want to Give The Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology would like to thank the donors and you who make these scholarships possible. Your generous gifts make it possible for us to continue funding scholarships for deserving undergraduate and g...

10/07/2025

CJC advisors Sisouvanh Keopanapay and Rebecca Auliye are trying out an innovative new advising strategy this semester, teaching students the tools to navigate their degree requirements and progress through group sessions, in addition to the more traditional one-on-ones.

10/06/2025

09/29/2025

Honoring a true leader! Linda Pillo (WSU Class of ’78), former Chief of Police for the City of Bellevue, received the WSU Alumni Association’s Alumni Achievement Award at a surprise ceremony in Seattle on Sept. 13. Her decades of dedication to community leadership and civic service earned her this well-deserved recognition.

Pillo (’78), Bellevue’s first female chief of police, received the award for her extraordinary civic service and community impact during and after her 35‑year career in law enforcement.