High Point University Department of Criminal Justice

11/24/2025

We are so proud of Caydan, her hard work, and dedication! We cannot wait to see what she does with her PhD ☺️

Caydan Brixius, an HPU '25 Criminal Justice major with minors in Legal Studies and Business Administration, will be pursuing her PhD in Sociology in Raleigh, North Carolina.

“The professors at HPU played a crucial role in preparing me for life after graduation. They helped me build strong research and writing skills, but more importantly, they believed in me. Their encouragement and the opportunities they provided were instrumental in shaping my confidence and preparing me for graduate school.”

https://www.highpoint.edu/blog/2025/05/caydan-brixius-pursues-phd-in-sociology/

11/04/2025

Logan is a gifted, hardworking, and undeniably compassionate Criminal Justice major! She has done so much to serve the High Point citizens through her volunteering with the police department. We’re exceptionally proud of Logan! 💜🚔

She's behind one of the most popular tables at our annual Community Day, and it all started with HPPD's Citizens Academy.

Logan is studying criminal justice at High Point University and participated in our Citizens Academy last year. One of the classes focused on our community outreach events, including Community Day. That's when we learned she's a pro at balloon animals! Now, she's a regular at our Community Day, and the line at her table never ends.

We invite you to come learn about our department's policies, people and practices, and the ways you can be involved with what we're doing here at HPPD.

Applications are open for the Spring 2026 Citizens Academy. You'll get to:
🔵Meet officers and detectives in specialty units
🔵Practice traffic stops
🔵Watch a SWAT demonstration
🔵Hear about community engagement programs and initiatives
🔵Tour the Real Time Crime Center
🔵Learn about crime scene investigations

Apply here: https://www.highpointnc.gov/420/Citizens-Academy

05/01/2025

We are so excited to highlight one of our students, Osliany Mora-Morejon, and her achievement in getting not one, but two internships! She will be interning with World Relief Triad as an Immigration Legal Service Intern, and with the Federal Public Defender's Office. We are very proud of our students, we know you will do great things!

04/26/2025

A little late, but we had the pleasure of honoring and celebrating our soon-to-be graduates! 🎓 Students were recognized for their academic accomplishments, including the top GPAs, mock trial awards, research projects and publications, service to the department, and more! We also welcomed students into Alpha Phi Sigma, The National Criminal Justice Honor Society! We’re so proud of our majors and minors! 🤩👏🥲🥳

03/28/2025

Our department hosted its first (of many) Criminal Justice Meet and Greet events with over 16 professional partners including:
•The United States Secret Service
•Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
•The Bureau of Alcohol, To***co, & Fi****ms (ATF)
•North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations (SBI)
•The Triad Regional State Crime Lab
•High Point Police Department Crime Lab 🥼
•High Point 911
•The Guilford County Family Justice Center
•The Forsyth County District Attorneys Office
•NC Conference of District Attorneys Financial Crime Unit
•Alamance County Sheriff’s Office
•Burlington Police Department
•Gibsonville Police Department
•Greensboro Police Department
•NC Adult Corrections
•The Forsyth County Juvenile Detention Center

We hope the students loved interacting with potential employers and professional partners! 🚔👩🏼‍⚖️💜

02/06/2025

If you’re interested in law school and have a passion for collaborating with other future attorneys, or you just want to engage in a competitive, yet fun activity, please inquire about our mock trial team! You also earn 2 credits!

Guided by Dr. Ingram, a professor in our department and former federal and state prosecutor, our mock trial team did a phenomenal job at their recent competitions. In fact, they accomplished the following in two recent competitions, the former in Minneapolis and the most recent in Charlotte.
• Achieved a 4-3-1 ranking and swept the Best Attorney award (Brady Rotello). 🏆⚖️
• They earned The Spirit of AMTA award, which is extremely competitive and awarded by other participants for the team exhibiting the greatest sportsmanship and professionalism.
•They also won five awards at the recent competition in Charlotte, North Carolina! 🏆

Pictured in the photo from left to right are:
Derrick Gage, Haley Lafreniere, Brady Rotello, Aly Patterson, Kait Funk, Maggie Maloney, and Madison Scrocca! Congratulations team! 💜🏆👏

01/31/2025

Incoming students majoring in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology, and Political Science are encouraged to apply tor membership in our Social Science Fellowship!
Perks:
• Fun and friendship🤩
• Mentorship
• Research and service opportunities
• Community Building 🩷
• Financial Scholarship 💸
• An intellectual discovery course on cults
And more! Here are some photos of our fellows this past semester and at our first spring event!

01/31/2025

We love hearing it!! Students definitely love CRJ 1700: Violent Crime! 🚨🚓 Join us for class next semester, too!

12/04/2024

The students in our Crime Scene Investigation class have been working diligently on creating and analyzing the meaning of blood in solving crimes. Our Crime Lab has been a fantastic resource in creating ways for these students to apply their knowledge in potential real-life scenarios.

11/22/2024

Our Violent Crime class had the opportunity to hear from Mike Johnston, an investigator with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). During this guest lecture, students learned about the legal processes concerning missing persons and abductions. This is a fantastic way for students to practice professionalism and networking, while asking any questions they may have.

11/20/2024

Our Police Operations students learn and demonstrate their knowledge on a variety of defense tactics, legal procedures, and more throughout the semester. In addition, they are also able to learn from and connect with individuals who have years of experience in the field, such as this guest speaker, Megan Phillips.

11/14/2024

Our very own Crime Lab showcases HPU's Criminal Law students! A special resource, the Crime Lab provides students with opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the courtroom environment.
This courtroom is one of many features of the Crime Lab, offering hands-on experiences where students are able to apply classroom material to real-life situations.