Events And Student Life
What Have We Been Up To? Plenty.
The Criminology, Sociology and Anthropology Department offers more to its students than simply an academic major. It encompasses many activities, building a strong community of students within the major. Our students are an active, engaged part of the campus community.
SPRING 2024
Sociology-Criminology Alumna Featured on MU Blog
Sociology-Criminology Alumna Faith Willenbrock is currently serving in the United States Army as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. On a recent MU blog post, Faith speaks about how important the opportunity the helicopter ride to Ft. Indiantown Gap for leadership training is for the ROTC cadet experience. Read more here. We are proud of you, Faith! Thank you for your service.
FALL 2023
Archaeology Students Dig In in New Castle, Delaware
Dr. Timothy Trussell's ANTH 425: Archaeology Field School students are working hard in New Castle, Delaware, completing digs at three sites in New Castle! Their classroom will be the field as long as the weather and water table allows, before bringing artifacts back to Millersville for cleaning, cataloging, and studying through the end of the fall semester.
Sociology Alumna Profile: Allie Eccleston, '16
Allie Eccleston, a 2016 graduate of our sociology program who went on to earn a master of publich health degree from Arcadia University, is doing important work right here in Pennsylvania. Currently an associate epidemiology specialist for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Allie's program hosted the PA Refugee Health Conference on October 4-5, 2023. The focus of this year's conference was Post-Settlement in a Changing Landscape.
SPRING 2023
Dr. Jerstad and Students Travel to Eastern State Penitentiary
Students in Dr. Jerstad's Modern Corrections and Comparative Global Justice classes traveled to the former Eastern State Penitentiary to get a first-hand look at the history of criminal justice in Pennsylvania.
Students Inducted into Lambda Alpha National Anthropological Honor Society
On March 30, 2023, twenty-four Anthropology majors and minors were inducted into Millersville University's founding chapter of Lamda Alpha, the national anthropological honor society. The chapter is known as Pi of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Justin Garcia serves as faculty sponsor.
The ceremony began with an alumni panel featuring five Millersville University graduates representing fields such as museum work, library sciences, cultural resource management, college advising, and the Peace Corps. Thank you, Chantel Jones, '19; Kimberly Jovinelli, '07; Steven Rivera Camacho, '15; Tom Worthington-Morales, '11; and Marilyn Zenko, '09. Thank you to our inspiring speakers!
Students Present Research at the State Capitol
Over spring break, on March 6, three student research assistants from the Center For Public Scholarship and Social Change presented a poster titled “Community-Engaged Research at the Center for Public Scholarship & Social Change" at an annual event hosted by the PA Senate called “Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol.” We are proud to say that all three are departmental majors or minors.
From left to right in the photo, they are: Lyndsey Kregel (’26) (Sociology/Criminology), Amy Sheeley (’23) (Psychology with a minor in Sociology), and Alicia Hill (’23) (Sociology/Criminology).
Engage for Change Journal Features Three Papers Written By Our Students
The latest issue of the Engage for Change Journal is out and features papers by several students in our department: “Bodies” by senior Alyssa Daniels, a Soc-Crim major/WGSS minor; “’Bodies’ in Feminist Ideology” by Alicia Hill, a senior Soc-Crim major minoring in government and political affairs and psychology; “Drowned Out: The Evolution of Violence Against Indigenous Women and Its Connection to Indigenous Feminism” by Jillian Bergin, a history major minoring in general anthropology and international studies. Congratulations, Alyssa, Alicia, and Jillian! To read the latest issue of the Engage for Change Journal, please click here.
Sociology Students Present at Eastern Sociological Society Conference
Dr. Carrie Lee Smith and student team members Helen Schirf (BA '21; MA '24) (Sociology minor while a undergraduate), Amy Sheeley (BA '23) (Sociology minor), and Alicia Hill (BA'23) (Sociology major) presented "Life in Affordable Housing: Residents’ Perceptions of Dignity, Autonomy, and Quality of Life," where they shared the preliminary survey results jointly administered by the Center and HDC MidAtlantic to residents living in HDC properties.
Dr. Smith was also joined by departmental alumna Ginger Berndt (B.A. Sociology 2013) to present their research, "Center Stage by Necessity: Contraception in the Media Post-Dobbs," which examines media coverage of contraception after the Supreme Court's overruling of Roe v. Wade. They made comparisons to the work Ginger did in her honors thesis while at Millersville. Ginger is now in her second year as Assistant Professor of Sociology at Texas A & M International University in Laredo, TX.
ANTHRO DAY 2023
Students from the Anthropology Club celebrated Anthro Day on February 16 with trivia, prizes, and tours of the Gerhart Archaeology Lab! Indiana Bones even held photo ops with lucky visitors!
Fall 2022
Kaitlyn Dougherty Featured in December Gradautes Profile
Sociology major Kaitlyn Dougherty graduates in December and was featured on the MU blog. Read about her Millersville memories and plans for the future here, along with profiles from other noteworthy December graduates. We are very proud of Kaitlyn and wish her the best in graduate school!
Udai Bhardwaj Lecture and Visit
On November 30, students in Dr. Arnold's Culture Through Film class had the honor of having Udai Bhardwaj as a guest lecturer, sharing cultural insight into the film Badhaai Do. Mr. Bhardwaj also gave a lecture to the Millersville community and spoke about his experiences growing up gay in India and how he and his team worked to decriminalize homosexuality in India. He encouraged his audience to speak up when witnessing hatred or injustice, especially in every day, small interactions with peers. After the lecture, students and faculty enjoyed a reception and were able to speak with him in the Ford Atrium. Thank you for sharing your important work with us, Udai!
Happy Halloween from CSAN!
Students in Dr. Jerstad's classes participated in a costume contest for Halloween, and they delivered. Looking great!
Dr. Arnold Delivers Land Acknowledgement
Dr. Marlene Arnold, Department Chair of Criminology, Sociology, and Anthropology, and Dr. Tanya Kavorkian of the History Department co-chaired a Land Acknowledgement to recognize the native peoples, both known and unknown, who occupied and stewarded the lands upon which Millersville University now sits. WGAL TV covered the event. You can find the full Land Acknowledgment Statement here.
Archaeology Students Give Tours at Marcus Hook Pirate Festival
Dr. Trussell and his Archaeology Field School and Lab Methods students have been working at the circa 1700 Plank House in Marcus Hook, PA. Strategically located as a port-of-call for Philadelphia and the northernmost point on the Delaware River navigable by large ships, Marcus Hook became a pirate haven in the early 18th century. The house is the oldest in the town and sits along what was known as Discord Lane, so named for the raucous behavior of said pirates. Each year the town hosts the Pirate Festival to commenorate its colorful history. The Marcus Hook Preservation Society hosted our students, who gave tours of the site to over 1,000 visitors and shared their knowledge and site artifacts. Not only did Blackbeard visit, but one woman ran home and came back with a cannonball fired at her home during the War of 1812!
SPRING 2022
Gabriella Rodriguez Named Newman Civic Fellow
The Newman Civic Fellowship, named for the late Frank Newman, recognizes students who stand out for their commitment to creating positive change in communities locally and around the world. Sociology and Language and Culture Studies double-major Gabriella Rodriguez will join students from 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico to form the next class of Newman Civic Fellows. Congratulations, Gabriella!
Graduation Reception
Department faculty celebrated our graduating seniors with a reception in their honor. It was a relaxing start to a busy graduation week! Congratulations, Class of 2022!
Alpha Kappa Delta Induction Ceremony and Alumni Panel
On April 20, 2022 we were very proud to induct twenty-one new initiates into Millersville University's Kappa Chapter of Alpha Kappa Delta, the international honor society of sociology. We are extremely proud of their hard work and dedication! Congratulations to Laura Abell, Leah Bahl, Aaron Brewbaker, Cassandra Conklin, Kaitlyn Dougherty, Alyssa Fostik, Willow Greene, Emma LaMartina, Samuel Mackey, Brittany Nesbitt, Rebecca Patches, Elina Riccardelli, Katelyn Rimmer, Gabriella Rodriguez, Ellie Rohrback, Lia Toigo, Kimberly Webb, Senorajoy, Weddington, Fredrika Whitall, Pamela Whori, and Taylor Wismer.
Senior Ellie Rohrback was honored as the recipient of the Senior Award for Excellence. Congratulations, Ellie!
Alumni Panel
The ceremony's featured speakers were a panel of alumni who spoke to students about their career paths and how their sociology majors or minors helped shape the professionals they are today.
Many thanks to Jessica Shingara, PA Department of Human Relations; Alex Rohrer, doctoral student at Wilmington University; Tiana Kelly, Licensed Professional Counselor; Amy Bitner, case manager for the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center, Adjunct Faculty, The School of Behavioral Sciences and Education at York College, & PhD student at IUP; and Chelsey Wirth, Assistant Director of Athletics at Millersville University.
Women in Blue: Film Screening and Discussion Panel
This event has passed, but you can still rent the film here and watch a recording of the Q&A here!
Senior Criminology major Ellie Rohrback presented a screening and discussion panel on April 6, 2022 of "Women in Blue," an intimate look at the Minneapolis Police Department in the years leading up to the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
The screening was followed by a Q&A session hosted and moderated by Ellie, featuring the film's director/producer, Deirdre Fishel, law enforcement relations expert Ganesha Martin, and former Minneapolis Police Department Inspector CJ Johnson.
Deirdre Fishel Ganesha Martin CJ Johnson
Many thanks to the following generous event sponsors:
Womens', Gender, and Sexuality Studies
The School of Social Work
Center for Public Scholarship and Social Change
Department of Criminology, Sociology, and Anthropology
Millersville University Police Department
African American Studies
President's Commission on the Status of Women
President's Commission on Cultural Diversity and Inclusion
Spring Advising Luncheons 2022
On March 23, faculty from the Anthropology and Sociology Majors hosted luncheons that featured food and academic previews for the Fall of 2022. Everyone was excited to be able to meet in-person, indoors, and even eat food in the same room!
Dr. Stephanie Jerstad was surprised with a speech by Alyssa Fostik to celebrate the completion of her thesis.
Dr. Schmitt presents a cake. Congratulations, Doctor Jerstad! We are proud of you and honored you are part of our faculty.
Anthropology Day 2022!
Anthropology majors celebrated World Anthropology on February 17, 2022 by setting up in the SMC and McComsey Hall to promote awareness of anthropology. They had dispays of artifacts from our student-led archaeological excavations, trivia, and a prize wheel.
Fall 2021
David Garlock Visits Millersville
In November, 2021 we hosted David Garlock, a former client of Bryan Stevenson and the Equal Justice Initiative. He is a successful re-entrant, having served 13 years for the murder of his abuser. He is an advocate for criminal justice reform, a national speaker, and has appeared in the film Just Mercy.
David's presentation, "The Chapters of My Life," was well-received by students and faculty. He shared his personal experiences in the criminal justice system and his life after incarceration.