Our students and alumni
Maddie Schoen
Maddie is a senior in 2016, from St. Louis, MO. She chose SIUE, "because it had so much to offer. I really felt that everyone from admissions to advisors to my professors would truly care about my success." She chose criminal justice as one of her two majors because "all of the subject matter fascinates me....I am so beyond happy that I chose CJ as a major because the professors enhanced my learning more than I ever could imagined." She now aspires to a career in criminal justice working with a juvenile population.
Jeffrey Wayne Forsythe Jr.
"My name is Jeffrey Wayne Forsythe Jr. I am a Federal Correctional Officer at FCI Greenville, Illinois. I am a member of the Disturbance Control Team, and I’m also on the Re-Entry Council. I graduated from SIUE in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. I chose this profession as a direct result of my time and experience at Southern Illinois University."
Trooper Bradford
Trooper Bradford graduated in 2013, after beginning his studies at a community college and transferring to SIUE. He says, "...the internship program is a worthwhile experience. While a student, I was able to do my internship with the Illinois State Police, an endeavor I believe helped me obtain a position with the Illinois State Police, as well as enabling me to network with future co-workers. In interactions with students from other schools I have been able to compare internship experiences. The research done on the SIUE internship allows for an enhanced knowledge, not available at every university. This is beneficial information for future CJ employees that is not available with less stringent internship programs." He joined the Illinois State Police shortly after graduation.
Joe Weirach
Joe Weirach is a senior from Millstadt, IL. He chose SIUE for its convenient location, but says that his “Criminal Justice professors are amazing....I have always been interested in criminal behavior and fascinated with how people commit crimes and break the law. I am interested in why people do the things they do, and what engages them to criminal acts.” He hopes to begin his career with a job in probation, but is also interested in pursuing working at the federal level.
Lt. Mike Hoguet (2009)
Lt. Mike Hoguet (2009) took a non-traditional path through college. He began his studies in Accounting, but left school to join the Air Force. By the time he returned, he had a family and a full time job with the Fairview Heights, IL Police Department. He says, "I never let go of the sight of earning my degree. After my three sons were old enough to go to school, I went back and slowly completed the course of study and finally earned my degree in 2009. Did it pay off? In more ways than I can explain.
One of best lessons learned was a few years after I graduated but was still affiliated to SIUE. Keeping in contact with Dr. Oberweis and Dr. Dirks-Linhorst after graduation, I was able to develop a better, more in-depth Intern Program for students completing this type of course. A 360 degree view of every division from Records to Dispatch to Patrol to Detectives was designed. This also included guidance on how to prepare for the rigors of testing to become a police officer.
“I chose the criminal justice (CJ) program at SIUE because I was interested in law enforcement. It was the perfect fit for me. I loved every one of my professors, and the coursework was so fascinating that I finished my degree in three years! My favorite part of the program was the senior internship. I interned with the Illinois Conservation Police, which is where I hope to work someday. It was an invaluable experience and affirmed my career aspirations. My younger brother saw how happy I was at SIUE and decided to come here to be a CJ major as well. I couldn't be more pleased with my undergrad experience, and I began my master's in the new online criminal justice policy program at SIUE. Doors are opening for me left and right thanks to my decision to complete this program, and I would certainly recommend it to others who want to have a similar experience.”
Kasey Morgan, BS ’17
Current master’s student
Rosewood Heights, IL
“Without a doubt, I want to offer my praises for the criminal justice (CJ) program at SIUE! I am incredibly grateful to the entire program for setting me up for success and helping me to find my passion. I was hesitant about my decision to come to SIUC for grad school, but I am absolutely happy with my decision. It is much harder than I anticipated, but worth it. I am still holding a 4.0 GPA after the hardest course load I have endured to date. Thank you again for all of your support and encouragement!”
Emily Cripps
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
