Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences

At the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, the Dean’s Excellence Fund powers the experiences that shape our students’ futures. Your Giving Day support strengthens hands‑on training, global learning opportunities, and the real‑world skills that set our graduates apart. These experiences prepare students for careers in law enforcement, forensic science, public safety, national security, justice reform, and more. Most importantly, they help students understand what civic responsibility and community impact truly mean—values they carry forward into their careers and the communities they will serve.

Your support fuels:

• Policy research opportunities where students work directly with state legislators on youth justice and anti‑trafficking initiatives.
• Study abroad in Prato made possible through a new forensic lab partnership that ensures students can meet required lab hours while overseas.
• Real‑world crime scene investigations using our on‑campus crime scene house followed by lab analysis that mirrors professional forensic workflows.
• Advanced fire science training, including burn‑pattern analysis and applied fire behavior studies.
• Financial and cybercrime investigations, preparing students to follow digital money trails and detect emerging fraud techniques.
• Hands‑on national security and intelligence‑focused learning, including threat analysis, emergency preparedness, and collaborative crisis‑response exercises.

On‑the‑Ground Success Story: Advancing Forensic Science Through Hands‑On Research

With support made possible through the Dean’s Excellence Fund, forensic science major Nicole conducted advanced fingerprint research that gave her real‑world experience typically reserved for professionals in the field. Nicole worked on capturing 3D fingerprint images and developing enhanced processing methods using industry‑standard software. She then analyzed the prints using tools commonly used by federal and state agencies, building the exact skills needed for a future career in latent print examination. Her research also strengthened her Honors thesis and contributed valuable data to a graduate student’s project.

“This project pushed me further than I thought I could go,” she said. “It taught me how to problem‑solve, communicate clearly, and use the same technology I’ll rely on in my career.”

Nicole’s experience reflects the power of experiential learning supported by the Dean’s Excellence Fund—opening doors, building confidence, and preparing students to lead in the forensic sciences.