Making Their Case: Criminal Justice Administration Graduate Students Confront Issues in the Field at Symposium Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Workplace violence, school violence, terrorism and police race relations were the topics of focus at the latest Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration Graduate Symposium held July 25 on campus.
“The students selected topics that were very relevant to current issues in our society. Their thorough interviews, research conducted and presentations reflected the efforts of these serious and committed individuals. We are glad to have such students and we look forward to the incoming class,” said Richard Linzer, J.D., associate professor of criminal justice and director of the M.S. in criminal justice administration graduate program.
The presentation titles and students were:
- Clarissa Horak ‘17: “Vehicular Terror Attacks: Challenges Law Enforcement Faces and Prevention Methods”
- Eric Holmes: “The National Initiative: A Bridge to 21st Century Policing in Pittsburgh”
- Frederick Livingston '15: “Violence in American Schools: Characteristics of a School Shooter"
- Michael Spagnoletti: “Workplace Violence Prevention and Preparation for an Active Shooter”
Student inductions into the Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society also took place during the symposium.
“I chose Point Park because I knew the quality of education I would receive since I earned my undergraduate degree in forensic science there. I knew I would receive a great education from experienced professors who would push me to think differently about various aspects in the criminal justice realm,” said Horak, a resident of Greensburg, Pa.
After graduation, Horak plans to pursue a career as an investigator for a federal agency.
“Point Park has given me the education and connections to follow through on these goals,” she added.
Holmes, commander and chief of staff for the Pittsburgh Police, chose Point Park for its reputation and convenient class schedule. His career goals are to continue as a police administrator and teach criminal justice at the post-secondary education level.
“Having classes all on Saturday was convenient for my professional schedule. Also, two of my mentors, Chief Scott Schubert and Assistant Superintendent Maurita Bryant, are graduates of the program,” explained Holmes, who lives in the Westwood neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pa.
Livingston, an Edgewood Borough police officer and resident of the Jefferson Hills borough of Pittsburgh, Pa., also chose Point Park based on the experiences he had as an undergraduate student (criminal justice) and for the graduate program’s Saturday class schedule. He’s now considering pursuing a doctoral degree.
“Professor Linzer was the driving force behind me continuing my education at Point Park. The professors and my cohort classmates have been a real positive. Also, Point Park’s location in Downtown Pittsburgh is the ideal setting,” Livingston said.
Spagnoletti will retire Aug. 17 from the Allegheny County Police Department after more than 26 years of service.
“I plan to use my master’s degree to obtain a job educating criminal justice students at the college level and will continue my public speaking and police academy training,” he said.
Spagnoletti added: “I have really enjoyed learning in depth about the individual part of the criminal justice systems and how they come together to make it work.”
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Point Park University offers a Master of Science degree in criminal justice administration and a Master of Arts degree in intelligence and global security.