A group of Wayne State alumni has started a program to help prepare students early for a career in criminal justice. The Criminal Justice Mentoring Program kicks off Oct. 7 at a meet-and-greet in downtown Detroit’s La Casa De La Habana, 1502 Randolph St.
The program, started by the alumni who are members of the Criminal Justice Alumni Advisory Board, is only for incoming freshman and is slated for the fall and winter semesters. The program is open to students of any major who are interested in a career in criminal justice.
DeShawn Brown, a freshman who signed up for the program, is undecided among majoring in criminal justice, political science or pre-law. Brown said he believes the mentoring program just may lean him toward criminal justice.
“I signed up for the criminal justice mentoring program because it’s an opportunity for myself to be introduced and surrounded by individuals who are familiar with the criminal justice system and field,” Brown said.
Jeffrey Lance Abood, criminal defense attorney and co-chair of WSU’s Criminal Justice Alumni Board, and LaSondra Dawn, academic services officer and advisor in the College of Education, are in charge of the new program.
Abood said the mentoring program came up in a discussion with the alumni board about what would have been beneficial to them when they were students at WSU.
“The primary goal of the program is to provide motivation for the students. I believe that,by being able to experience their desired career first hand and be guided by an expert in the field, the students will be motivated to excel throughout their education and ultimately their career,” Abood said.
The mentoring program will give students the opportunity to have meetings, at least twice a month, with mentors who work in the students’ desired fields. They will also be able to get advice from their mentors and shadow them at work.
“Students will have an opportunity to meet lawyers, police officers and other criminal justice professionals who will take time to support their interests. It will also help students relate their field experiences to what they are learning in the classroom,” Dawn said.
The Criminal Justice Alumni Board is expecting to have about 24 students in the first year. Officials said they are also looking to expand the program soon for all undergraduate level students.
Questions or Comments? Contact Clinton Charles Van Nocker at clint@aboodlaw.com
The program, started by the alumni who are members of the Criminal Justice Alumni Advisory Board, is only for incoming freshman and is slated for the fall and winter semesters. The program is open to students of any major who are interested in a career in criminal justice.
DeShawn Brown, a freshman who signed up for the program, is undecided among majoring in criminal justice, political science or pre-law. Brown said he believes the mentoring program just may lean him toward criminal justice.
“I signed up for the criminal justice mentoring program because it’s an opportunity for myself to be introduced and surrounded by individuals who are familiar with the criminal justice system and field,” Brown said.
Jeffrey Lance Abood, criminal defense attorney and co-chair of WSU’s Criminal Justice Alumni Board, and LaSondra Dawn, academic services officer and advisor in the College of Education, are in charge of the new program.
Abood said the mentoring program came up in a discussion with the alumni board about what would have been beneficial to them when they were students at WSU.
“The primary goal of the program is to provide motivation for the students. I believe that,by being able to experience their desired career first hand and be guided by an expert in the field, the students will be motivated to excel throughout their education and ultimately their career,” Abood said.
The mentoring program will give students the opportunity to have meetings, at least twice a month, with mentors who work in the students’ desired fields. They will also be able to get advice from their mentors and shadow them at work.
“Students will have an opportunity to meet lawyers, police officers and other criminal justice professionals who will take time to support their interests. It will also help students relate their field experiences to what they are learning in the classroom,” Dawn said.
The Criminal Justice Alumni Board is expecting to have about 24 students in the first year. Officials said they are also looking to expand the program soon for all undergraduate level students.
Questions or Comments? Contact Clinton Charles Van Nocker at clint@aboodlaw.com
