Student Outreach Initiative and Recognition
Crisis Contacts: A Summer of Learning and Engagement
This summer, our Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program has been abuzz with activity as a group of talented students from universities across the country have come together to tackle the complex topic of police interactions involving those experiencing mental health crises. Over the nine-week program, the students are immersed in an intensive learning experience that combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on skills and abilities.
Throughout the program, our students have had the opportunity to engage with expert faculty mentors, including Dale Willits (PhD) and David Makin (PhD) from WSU’s Department of Criminal Justice, and lab managers and doctoral students Brittany Solensten and Christina Shellabarger. Under their guidance, participants have been working on research projects focused on crisis contacts, analyzing data, and developing theories to understand this critical aspect of policing better. As they delve into the world of crisis contacts, students gain valuable knowledge and hone their skills in research methodology, data analysis, problem-solving, and communication.
One of the unique aspects of our REU program is its emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. Working in small groups allows participants to share ideas, learn from each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and develop essential teamwork skills. As they navigate the complexities of crisis contacts, students also build their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, preparing them for future academic and professional pursuits. We’re excited to see the innovative research projects emerging from this summer’s REU program!
Outstanding Graduating Senior
Theresa Harbert was selected as the Outstanding Graduating Senior for 2023–2024 for the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology. This is the most prestigious award offered by the College of Arts and Sciences for undergraduate students. In addition to maintaining an outstanding GPA, Harbert was deeply involved in research. She served as an undergraduate research assistant for the Complex Social Interactions Lab, a participant in the first Research Experience for Undergraduates summer program where she worked with other participants to study cognitive impairment in law enforcement welfare checks and wrote an undergraduate honors thesis on public interest in serial killers. We wish her the best moving forward as she continues her studies in the graduate program at Seattle University.
