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The University of New Haven’s American Criminal Justice Association, also known as Psi Omega, recently attended the in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Psi Omega enabled 33 students to attend this conference, where we had experiences we don’t typically have in an everyday classroom setting.

Throughout a very busy weekend, students participated in competitions in physical agility, crime scene investigation, and firearms and participated in police symbology courses, took a tour of Eastern State Penitentiary, and took part in many networking opportunities.

"The group of students who attended were amazing, left a great impression, and served as terrific ambassadors for the University."Kaitlyn Fiore ’20

I have been to one regional conference before this semester, and I have also been to two national conferences. I have been a general member of the organization since my sophomore year, and I was elected president of the American Criminal Justice Association for my senior year.

As president, I had more responsibility for this conference. I was nervous, but, looking back, I can confidently say that the group of students who attended were amazing, left a great impression, and served as terrific ambassadors for the University.

This group came home with 26 trophies, which is quite impressive, since we were competing with 100 other students. One trophy that separates our chapter from the rest was the spirit award, which recognizes that all 33 students who attended carried themselves in an extremely professional manner. The previous national president of the organization even approached me to comment on how impressed he was by our chapter.

I see these conferences as an opportunity to learn about many aspects of the criminal justice field. Every conference has a different theme, which allows students to see the variety of different paths that can be taken in this field. It also allows students to network with professionals in the field, enabling them to make connections with people they may not run into every day.

I truly believe the American Criminal Justice Association is a great organization – especially because it helps students have more hands-on experiences.

2019 ACJA Region IV Awards

Criminal Law

Lower:

• Nathaniel Michaud ’22 – 1st place
• Jessica Conte ’21 – 3rd Place

Upper:

• Michael Fost ’20 – 2nd Place

Professional:

• Dan Maxwell (Criminal justice lecturer and ACJA Adviser) – 1st Place

Juvenile Justice

Lower:

• Kassadi Williams ’21 – 1st Place
• Eve Hein ’22 – 3rd Place

Upper:

• Montana Miles ’21 – 2nd Place

Professional:

• Danny Maxwell (Criminal justice lecturer and ACJA Adviser) – 1st Place

Police Management

Lower:

• Jessica Conte ’21 – 3rd Place

Professional:

• Dan Maxwell (Criminal justice lecturer and ACJA Adviser) – 1st Place

LAE Knowledge

Lower:

• Aalyssa Mercing ’22 – 1st Place
• Jillian Fiore ’22 – 2nd Place
• Jonathan Maisonet ’22 – 3rd place

Upper:

• Aaron Pysher ’20 – 1st Place
• Michael Fost ’20 – 2nd Place

Corrections

Professional:

• Dan Maxwell (Criminal justice lecturer and ACJA Adviser) – 3rd Place

Crime Scene Investigation

Lower:

• 1st Place – Polina Boteva ’22, Jillian Fiore ’22, Alissa Negri ’22
• 2nd Place – Amanda Andrade ’22, Nicole Bibeau ’22, Jenna Castellucio ’23

Upper:

• 1st Place - Jessica Conte ’21, Kassadi Williams ’21, Davonte Yearwood ’21
• 2nd Place – Michael Fost ’20, Jacob Hickey ’20, Aaron Pysher ’20

Firearms

Upper:

• 1st Place – John Finn ’21, Jacob Hickey ’20, Carmelo Mattioli ’21 (Team)
• 2nd Place – Jacob Hickey ’20 (Individual)

Physical Agility

Lower:

• 1st Place – Yasmine Pabst ’23 (female – 18-25 years old)
• 1st Place – Nathaniel Michaud ’22 (male – 18-25 years old)

Upper:

• 3rd Place – John Finn ’21 (male – 18-25 years old)

Spirit Award

• Psi Omega

Top Academic

• Dan Maxwell (Criminal justice lecturer and ACJA Adviser)