Welcome to Silver City’s Criminal Justice Club!

The Criminal Justice Club is one way for criminal justice students to participate in university- or club-sponsored events. Alpha Phi Sigma, the national honor society for criminal justice students is another. The only requirement to join the Criminal Justice Club is an interest in the criminal justice field which means all students, no matter what they study, can join. Club participation is a great resume builder! There are regular meetings during the fall and spring semesters so keep a lookout for flyers with dates and times!

In the club, you meet like-minded people in the fields of criminal justice. There are several events that happen throughout the year such as trips, Identi-kid, guest lectures, fundraisers, and end-of-year celebrations! Some of our events are open to the public such as the guest lectures. If you are interested in joining or want more information contact Contact Professor Spenser Baca at (575) 538-6422 | Phelps Dodge 236 or by email at Spenser.Baca@wnmu.edu.

All are welcome no matter your major, as long as you have an interest in criminal justice! Hope to see you soon!

The Criminal Justice Club is one way for criminal justice students to participate in University or club sponsored events. Alpha Phi Sigma, the national honor society for criminal justice students is another. The only requirement to join the Criminal Justice Club is an interest in the criminal justice field. Club participation is a great resume builder!

Regular events participated in or sponsored by the Club include:

The Great Race

The Great Race is a week-long University event consisting of games, entertainment, and of course, racing! University clubs compete against each other for prizes and the prestige of saying they were the best of the bunch! Student government often sponsors bands for live entertainment and plenty of food and beverages. The week culminates in the actual Race … teams are assembled to race a buggy with winner taking all. One driver is chosen to “pilot” a people powered vehicle from start to finish, complete with mud bogs and hills! The event is generally the last blowout before winding down to start final exams in the Spring. It is a University tradition.

Trips to ACJS Conferences

The annual Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences conferences are held at different locations each year. In the past, the Criminal Justice Club has organized and funded trips to the different cities where the conferences have been held. The conferences are a great way to meet professionals from all disciplines of the Criminal Justice field. In addition, there is usually a job fair at the conference where recruiters from local and Federal agencies can meet with students interested in a career in either law enforcement, corrections, or the courts.

Fund Raisers

CJ Club members usually run at least one fund raiser per semester. They include raffles, food sales, and the sale of our infamous “Harvard on the Gila” t-shirts. Proceeds usually go toward funding Club sponsored trips, such as the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) conferences, tours of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy in Artesia, NM, or other policing agencies and correctional facilities in the Southwest.

Identi-Kid

Identi-kid is a program where parents can have their children photographed and fingerprinted (free of charge) to be given to the Police in the event that the child becomes missing. The photos and prints are packaged along with a description of the child. Alpha Phi and Criminal Justice Club members set up and run the program at a local business twice a year. It has been very popular with parents in the community and is a great way to create some exposure for the Criminal Justice program and Western New Mexico University. Local media usually covers the event.

Homecoming

Another University tradition, Homecoming events can include games and/or a float driven in the Homecoming parade run through Silver City. Prizes are awarded to the club with the best float!

Student Government

The Criminal Justice Club works closely with Student Government on issues related to event planning and club financial concerns. Each club is expected to have a representative in attendance at any Student Government meeting concerning club certification and requests for monies. The Criminal Justice Club has been very active in Student Government meetings and activities in the past.

Job Fair

Each semester, WNMU sponsors a Job Fair. Representatives from local and Federal agencies are in attendance. In the past, recruiters from FBI, Customs, US Marshals, DEA, Secret Service, Border Patrol, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons along with local police departments have attended.