Summer 2021: A message from Department Chair, Dr. Brad Smith

Dear alumni and friends of WSU Criminology and Criminal Justice,

Since our last newsletter arrived in your inbox last December, much has changed. With COVID-19 cases down and vaccination rates up, the tentative plan is for the university to welcome students, faculty and staff back to campus this fall.

There are still some details to be ironed out before we welcome alumni back for in-person gatherings, but I hope the stories in this newsletter help make you feel a little more connected to the Department in the meantime. In this issue, you'll get to hear from some of our hardworking students receiving scholarships, learn about the National Science Foundation-funded Communities, Crime & Criminal Justice in Detroit program and read about what some of our alumni, faculty and students have been up to in recent months.

Alumnus Ray Cloud is a leader in the field of loss prevention, Professor Matt Larson has been appointed to the State of Michigan's Corrections Officers' Training Council, and student Amairris Simmons led a series of virtual events for our students throughout the pandemic.

As always, I love hearing from alumni who are creating change in their communities, who have career news to share, or who would like to be more involved with the department. Please get in touch with me at bradsmith@wayne.edu.

Sincerely,

Brad Smith, Ph.D.