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Law enforcement. Advocates. Researchers who drive better policy; there are many stakeholders who intersect with the Criminal Justice System. Helping the next generation of leaders find their best role in that field is central to the Emmanuel Criminology & Criminal Justice (CCJ) major.
Firmly rooted in teaching from those who have worked within the system, Emmanuel CCJ blends theoretical perspectives with hands-on experience in the field. It also promotes critical evaluation of the system and encourages students to do their part in making it better, said Associate Professor of Criminology & Criminal Justice Dr. Janese Free.
“It’s important to integrate knowledge and practice, because criminology really informs criminal justice,” said Dr. Free. “It’s a combination of theory and research that analyzes why crime happens, why society responds the way it does, and which interventions work best.”
“We try to help students grow and develop holistically, to prepare them for life after college and a wide range of possible careers,” she added.
As a detective with the Boston Police Department, CCJ Lecturer Dr. Jeffrey Lopes knows the dynamics and complexities firsthand. As an instructor, he prioritizes demonstrating how those pieces fit together and getting students into the room with those practitioners.
“Our program has really emphasized community engagement and partnerships with law enforcement, non-profits, and other organizations that have cross points in the criminal justice field,” said Dr. Lopes. “This has helped our students build networks, understand the practical applications of their studies, and see that there are many different roles within the system.”
Hosting panel discussions with industry professionals is one way that Emmanuel CCJ does this. Emily Jade Wallace ’27- who is double majoring in CCJ and Political Science- attended one last fall, with some far-reaching impacts.
A timely introduction from Dr. Lopes afterward helped Wallace land an internship with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Now she’s helping the DA’s Human Trafficking Unit process evidence, and seeing how criminal cases are built in staff meetings and ultimately taken to court. The assistant DA Wallace met through the panel has also become a mentor—someone she can discuss the future with.
Another important connection was made through that panel, when Wallace listened to the story of a victim’s advocate.
“When she was talking about her path, it really aligned with the things that I was thinking of,” said Wallace. “I could see myself in that role, and I think that was ultimately what drew me to it [as a career goal].”
Research to Drive Better Policy
The combination of theory and application through Emmanuel CCJ is what Sarah Peacock ’25 was looking for during college search. A huge fan of the true-crime genre, she is fascinated by the intersection of society and criminal justice. She’s also helping to advance that knowledge by conducting research alongside Dr. Free.
The study is focused on streetworkers, a frontline role usually practiced by formerly incarcerated or gang-involved individuals. They engage high-risk youth on city streets, trying to head off violence and gang involvement. This particular study examines the motivations of streetworkers who dedicate their lives to these often dangerous and stressful jobs.
Interviews and data collected through the research shows that streetworkers are deeply dedicated, but the stress, bureaucracy, and lack of funding that often accompanies their jobs takes a toll and can lead to high turnover and other negative outcomes.
It’s a difficult situation, but Peacock appreciates doing her part to build a roadmap for empowering and supporting streetworkers, so they can better help their clients.
“I think if enough people know about it and understand the work these people are doing- and the challenges they are facing- it can make a big difference,” said Peacock.
Peacock said the smaller class sizes at Emmanuel helped her develop connections. In addition to assisting Dr. Free with multiple research projects, she found a fulfilling internship at a court service center, helping people without representation navigate basic legal processes.
Graduate school is Peacock’s next step, with the ultimate goal of working in federal law enforcement. She’s aiming high, but is confident with the foundation established at Emmanuel.
“I know that I'm prepared to go out into the world, get a good job, and get my graduate degree,” said Peacock.
Patricia Kirejczyk ’25 is majoring in CCJ as preparation for law school. She’s always been interested in sociology and how that discipline provides thoughtful examination of how social groups interact. Criminology takes a similar approach-- with the focus on crime-- and Kirejczyk quickly developed a similar interest in CCJ when deciding her major.
Kirejczyk finds the wide range of theories that CCJ uses to examine crime and social structures compelling. It’s complicated, but she said the faculty does a great job of imparting both knowledge and understanding of how it all fits together.
“I have grown in every way possible,” said Kirejczyk. “I’ve grown as an individual to not only say what I believe, but also be confident that I know what I’m talking about, because of the education Emmanuel has provided me.”
Steady Growth
A former victim’s advocate, Dr. Free become part of the Emmanuel community in 2010, when the Sociology Department added a concentration in Crime and Justice. Due to student interest, the program grew from a concentration to a full major in the fall of 2020. Since then, it has grown steadily and is now the sixth-most-popular major at Emmanuel, with enrollment up 94% over the past four years.
Dr. Free has embraced that growth through thoughtful expansion. Community is an important piece: there’s a student-led CCJ Club and well attended events, such as the annual student crime scene model showcase each spring, as well as a chapter of the national criminal justice honors society.
Expansion is also taking place in the classroom. The program is adding a new Forensic Studies for CJ Professionals class this fall, which will highlight how evidence is collected in the field is used to solve crimes. Another example is the wildly popular Criminal Investigations and Crime Scene Response course, which was added last year and is taught by Adjunct Professor Pamela Harris.
A Deputy Superintendent for the Boston P.D., Harris has more than 20 years of experience working crime scenes. She’s taking an interactive approach to imparting that knowledge, having already organized two crime scene demonstrations for students with detectives from her department.
“I try to bring my practical experience and expertise, and deliver what they can’t get from a textbook,” said Harris.
Briana Casey ’25 had a similar learning experience with Police Department in Bridgeport, Conn. While she spent some time in the field and at crime scenes, Casey grew into providing administrative support for one of the lieutenants, gaining hands-on experience, a valuable mentor, and invitation to get in touch after graduation.
“I’ve had some opportunities I never thought I would have, and I think the CCJ program has helped me find out who I am as well,” said Casey.
Educating the Whole Student
Social Justice through education has been a core value of Emmanuel College since it was established by the Sister of Notre Dame de Namur in 1919. The CCJ program reflects its commitment to those values with its emphasis on applying sociological and criminology theory to examine inequities and promote improvement.
Helping students connect with the right career path is central to what the program does, but Dr. Free said it’s also very much about empowering students to do their part to improve the system.
“When I'm teaching students and mentoring, I'm thinking about their whole person and what we can do to help them feel empowered to make a difference in the criminal justice system and the world,” said Dr. Free.