Criminology & Criminal Justice at the Universities at Shady Grove

03/20/2026

It may be the first day of spring 🌸 but fall registration is right around the corner! Time flies ⏳😲 Are you ready? ✅❔Make sure to check your blocks and schedule your advising appointment if you haven’t already!

03/03/2026

Shawn Eastman Named Gaithersburg Chief of Police

Shawn Eastman has been appointed as the new City of Gaithersburg Chief of Police following the retirement of Chief Mark Sroka. He was sworn in during the Mayor and City Council meeting on March 2, 2026, and will officially begin his duties on March 7. View the swearing-in and presentation.

“Shawn Eastman’s decades of service and proven leadership make him the ideal choice to lead the Gaithersburg Police Department,” said City Manager Tanisha Briley. “His deep knowledge of our community and commitment to disciplined, community‑focused policing will ensure the department continues to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and community trust.”

Shawn Eastman, a 29-year law enforcement veteran, began his career with the National Institutes of Health Police Department in 1997, serving as a criminal investigator before joining the Gaithersburg Police Department in 1999. Over the past 26 years with the City of Gaithersburg, he has advanced through the ranks, serving in patrol, plainclothes, and investigative roles, and leading numerous criminal, background, and internal investigations.

Promoted to lieutenant in 2018, Eastman has led both the Operations Bureau and the Special Operations Bureau, overseeing patrol functions and specialized units. In 2025, he was promoted to the rank of Captain and assumed the position of Assistant Chief of Police. He is a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police (2022) and the Leadership in Police Organizations program (2016). Eastman is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association, and the Maryland Municipal League Police Executive Association.

Throughout his career, Eastman has received numerous awards and commendations, including top academy graduate, multiple life-saving awards, and Supervisor of the Year in 2012 and 2015. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Political Science from Frostburg State University (1995) and a Master of Arts in Human Sciences from Hood College (2005). Since 2006, he has intermittently served as an adjunct professor at Montgomery College and the University of Maryland, earning the Kendall Service Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2014 and 2020.

“I am truly honored to lead the department where I have dedicated my career,” said Eastman. “Our success has always been driven by the unwavering commitment of our officers and professional staff and strengthened by the trust and collaboration of our City leaders and the community we serve. Together, we will continue to support one another, uphold disciplined policing, and deliver the highest standard of service to those we are entrusted to protect.”

02/25/2026

Looking for unique credit opportunities that will feed directly into your career? We have some great new opportunities! Email [email protected] with any questions.

02/02/2026

Join us at USG on Tuesday, 2/10 at 1:00pm in III-2226 to learn all about this unique study abroad opportunity! ✈️ Apply by February 17th!!

01/21/2026

Looks like we might be in for some snow ❄️ right before the beginning of the spring semester! Make sure you are signed up to get USG campus alerts. Also, if we do have any closures, check your UMD email and ELMS for info from your instructors! 📧

12/24/2025

Enjoy your winter break! We’ll see you in the new year.

12/12/2025

Ready to apply to UMD at USG? Our Spring 2026 application is still open, and Fall 2026 is available as well! If you have questions or want to walk through the application with our admissions coordinator, this virtual application workshop is perfect for you.

The December 19th session has been cancelled, but a session has been ADDED on January 22nd at 4pm! Registration is required. Use the QR code to sign up!

10/28/2025

We at the Universities at Shady Grove honor the memory of Professor Alan Drew, a beloved lecturer in the University of Maryland Criminology and Criminal Justice program at USG. Through his teaching, mentorship, and dedication to criminal justice, Drew inspired countless students and colleagues. His compassion, wisdom, and commitment to his students will be deeply missed and long remembered by the USG and UMD communities. Read more: bit.ly/usg-alandrew

10/20/2025

Are you ready to apply to UMD at USG? Register for one of these virtual application workshops to get all the info you need!

10/03/2025

Save the date! See you on October 28th!

07/23/2025

Our very own Professor Karschner!

This , meet Jennifer Karschner, supervisor of the Crime Scene Unit in MCPD’s Forensic Science and Evidence Management Division. Originally from a military family, Jennifer has proudly called Maryland home for the past 20 years. Since beginning her career with MCPD in 2002, she has worked her way up through the department to lead the Crime Scene Unit, driven by a passion for forensic science and a dedication to integrity. “I’ve been fortunate to grow within MCPD, and I’m proud to now support others entering this rewarding field,” she says.

In addition to her role with MCPD, Jennifer is an adjunct professor at George Washington University, the University of Maryland, and Loyola University. “Teaching allows me to give back and help prepare students for the realities and rewards of this career. It’s something I truly enjoy.”

To young women considering careers in law enforcement, she offers this advice; “There are many career paths in this field, don’t limit yourself. Stay curious, keep an open mind, and stay true to your values. Your voice matters, and this profession needs your perspective.”

Outside of work, Jennifer is a proud wife and mom to an amazing daughter who keeps the family busy with school, soccer, and lacrosse. Whether traveling, spending time with loved ones, or simply enjoying life’s everyday moments, staying grounded and connected is what fuels her both personally and professionally!