Criminal Justice honor society inducts 75 new members
“We always have to keep expanding our knowledge,” Thompson told students. “Growth is your responsibility.”
Membership in Alpha Phi Sigma requires a 3.2 GPA for undergraduate students and a 3.4 GPA for graduate students. All members are required to perform several hours of community service each year.
“We’re really excited about welcoming the new students into the program,” says criminology professor Gary Sweeten, the faculty adviser for the group. “They serve the school, they serve the community well.”
Each new honor society member received a pin and certificate during the ceremony.
“These 75 students that we induct today signifies to the practioner world that these are the next generation of criminology and criminal justice leaders,” says Hank Fradella, assistant director of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. “And so these are the students that bring us an incredible amount of pride because we know that once they get in their careers, they will be agents of positive change.”
The student organization is partnering with the ASU Police department on several training sessions, including going over the physical agility components of officer certification and self-defense.
“My goal is to put some events together that can interest our students who want to go into law enforcement, go to law school, victim advocates, so forth, “ says Austin Koval, president of Alpha Phi Sigma.
A former police officer and a certified law enforcement instructor, Koval wants to see honor society members get the kind of knowledge and experience needed to be successful after graduation. APS students previously toured the Phoenix crime lab this fall. Koval plans on bringing in both prosecutors and public defenders to talk to students about legal careers.
Public Programs