Fall 2021
Department Faculty Recognized as Honored Instructors
December 6, 2021
Mr. Chad Jordan, Mr. Daniel Culver, and Mr. Richard Allsbrook were recognized for their invaluable contributions to student learning. Each was recognized by one or more student(s) who reside in Campus Living for having made a significant impact on their educational experience here at ECU. Pictured are Mr. Jordan and Mr. Allsbrook, who attended the Honored Instructors Social on December 6, 2021. Congratulations!
Dr. Bonner Publishes New Research Examining Gender Differences in Law Enforcement Officer Perceptions of Stress and Use of Coping Strategies
November 25, 2021
Dr. Heidi Bonner, Associate Professor and Chair, (with Dr. Andy Brimhall from the Department of Human Development and Family Science) recently published “Gender Differences in Law Enforcement Office Stress and Coping Strategies” in Police Quarterly. Prior research indicates that law enforcement officers may be particularly vulnerable to stress due to unique and sometimes traumatic stressors inherent in their work. Using survey data collected from a sample of law enforcement officers in a large urban police agency in the southeastern United States, this research examined the differences between male and female officers regarding the perception of stressors in policing and coping strategies used in response to stress. The results indicate that female officers have significantly higher mean stress scores on several items (particularly those regarding safety factors) and are considerably more likely to use positive coping strategies than male officers.
Dr. Walfield Graduates from Engagement and Outreach Scholars Academy
November 19, 2021
Dr. Scott Walfield graduated from the Engagement and Outreach Scholars Academy (EOSA) on November 19, 2021. EOSA is a national model for engaged scholarship that provides professional development and project support for research that connect campus with communities. Faculty selected to the program participate in cohort-based workshops and develop a research project with their community partner and are supported by graduate and undergraduate students who participate in the simultaneous Student Engagement and Outreach Scholars Academy.
Dr. Walfield’s project, which will continue to the end of the academic year, is titled “Prison to Community: Understanding What Works and Barriers for Re-Entry among Justice
Involved Individuals.” The qualitative project seeks to interview 20 men and 20 women who have been recently incarcerated to understand the situational and contextual factors that contribute to the success for justice-involved individuals upon re-entry to society, those factors that may hinder them from successfully reintegrating and/or cause them to recidivate, and how COVID-19 has impacted the re-entry process. The project partner for Dr. Walfield’s project is Rev. Rodney Coles from the CTB Church Outreach Network and he is supported by two EC Scholars, Imman Siddiqi and Cassidy Fitz-Randolph, and a graduate student, Nikki Arnold-Minkley.
Department Student Organizations Sponsor “Cans for Credit”
November 18, 2021
The Fall 2021 Department of Criminal Justice “Cans for Credit” resulted in a donation of 764 pounds of food to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Sponsored by the three student organizations in Criminal Justice – Alpha Phi Sigma (APS, the Criminal Justice honor society), the Criminal Justice Student Organization (CJSO), and the Mock Trial Association (MTA) – the biannual Cans for Credit allows participating faculty to provide nominal extra credit for food donations from students in their courses. Pictured with the donation are APS advisor Dr. Steven Brewer and CJSO advisor Mr. Chad Jordan.
Criminal Justice Faculty Present at American Society of Criminology Conference
November 16, 2021
Two faculty members traveled to Chicago to present at the annual American Society of Criminology conference held November 17-20. Dr. Sara Bryson presented a paper titled “A Longitudinal Assessment of Antisocial Outcomes across Bullying Profiles” which utilized data from the 2006-2011 Process and Outcome Evaluation of the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program to examine differences in the likelihood of delinquency and substance use across three bullying classes over four school years.
Dr. Michelle Malkin presented two papers. The first, titled “Problem Gambling, General Strain Theory and Gender,” uses data from the Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling in Massachusetts study to examine how strain is related to problem gambling as well as whether female and male problem gamblers experience strain differently. The second, titled “Blogging from the Inside” (part of a panel called “Cell Searches: Narrative Evidence from Incarcerated Documentarians”) provided insights into how people in prison are maintaining public blogs documenting their experiences including what is written, how people maintain blogs from the inside, correctional/peer reaction to the existence of these blogs, and how these may be useful in understanding the lived experience of incarceration.
Dr. Bryson Selected for NCFDD Faculty Success Program
November 2, 2021
Dr. Sara Bryson has been selected by Dean Allison Danell for the Spring 2022 Faculty Success Program (FSP). One of the flagship programs of the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD), FSP is a nationally recognized virtual, intensive professional development program designed to enhance productivity through coaching and peer support. Harriot College covers all costs for participation in the program, an almost $5,000 investment per faculty member. Harriot College previously supported Dr. Scott Walfield for the Summer 2021 session of FSP.
ACORNS Unit: Police and Social Workers Bridging the Gap with Homelessness and Mental Illness
November 15, 2021
Cassandra Deck-Brown, ECU criminal justice alumna, Criminal Justice advisory board member, and former Chief of the Raleigh Police Department, formed the ACORNS (Addressing Crises through Outreach, Referrals, Networking, and Service) unit prior to her retirement. ACORNS provides a holistic response to community members in crisis including outreach, education, on-call field services, investigation, and intervention. Of note, the program places trained social workers with law enforcement officers as part of the response to crises-related calls. You can read the full story here.
Department Purchases 3D Scanner for Forensic Science Students
November 1, 2021
The department is thrilled to provide the latest in crime scene scanning equipment, a Trimble X7 3D laser scanner, and its accompanying Trimble T10 tablet, for students pursuing a minor in forensic science. Criminal justice students are the first in the state to have access to the scanner as part of their real-world forensic experience. The department is grateful for the support of the Criminal Justice Advisory Board and their contributions to the department priority fund which contributed to the combination of funds used for the purchase. Find more information about our latest addition to classroom instruction in the ECU news story!
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October 1, 2021
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence is a category of crime that includes violence against women, intimate partner violence, and interpersonal violence. Faculty in the Department of Criminal Justice conduct research on domestic violence including projects that investigate how to reduce intimate partner homicide and how to prevent witness intimidation in domestic violence.
As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the National Institute of Justice’s research-based Term of the Month is intimate partner violence (IPV). IPV consists of the physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former intimate partner or spouse. For more information on how research leads to a better understanding of the factors that contribute to IPV, and how it can assist communities in developing a coordinated response, refer to the resources provided by the National Institute of Justice.
Dr. Malkin Invited to Speak at Gamblers Anonymous Conference
September 27, 2021
Dr. Michelle Malkin, Assistant Professor, was invited to speak at the Region 9 Gamblers Anonymous Conference in Illinois on September 25th. Her presentation focused on the connection between problem gambling and gambling-motivated crime, and the potential for gambling diversion courts.
Dr. Anderson Publishes New Textbook on Criminal Justice Research Methods
September 15, 2021
Dr. James Anderson, Professor, has published Criminal Justice Research Methods (1st ed. San Diego, CA: Cognella Publishing). From the publisher: “Criminal Justice Research Methods provides students with an accessible, easy-to-understand guide to all aspects of social scientific research methods. It features a comprehensive discussion of qualitative and quantitative data gathering strategies and a plethora of current examples to help readers understand the process of doing research and investigating issues that are relevant to criminal justice and criminology.”
Department Welcomes Distinguished Fulbright Scholar
September 1, 2021
In coordination with the Office of Global Affairs, we are pleased to welcome Dr. Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Professor of Criminology at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, as a Fulbright Research Scholar for the 2021-2022 academic year. His research, conducted with his ECU sponsor Dr. William Bloss, Professor, involves a comparative study of the perceptions of male and female law enforcement officers regarding gender roles and performance in policing.
Mrs. Grimsley Selected to Participate in BB&T Active Learning & Leadership Program
August 31, 2021
Mrs. Keri Grimsley, Teaching Instructor and Field Experience Director, has been selected to participate in the BB&T Active Learning & Leadership Program provides. Only 10 faculty were selected for the Fall 2021 cohort. The program provides selected faculty with the opportunity to explore and experiment with embedding a leadership-related focus into the way existing activities, assignments, discussions, and materials are developed in a selected course.
Department Welcomes Two New Faculty Members
August 16, 2021
The Department of Criminal Justice is thrilled to welcome two new faculty members this year.
Dr. Michelle Malkin is a new Assistant Professor. Dr. Malkin earned her PhD in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University and a JD from Northeastern Law School. Her research interests include the experiences of special populations in the criminal justice system, specialty courts, convict criminology, and gambling-motivated crime. Her teaching interests include law and legal procedure, courts, corrections, and special populations.
Mr. Daniel Culver is a new Teaching Instructor. Mr. Culver earned his MS in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati. His teaching interest include policing and crime scene investigations.