Penn State undergraduates take research to annual criminal justice conference

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - When Penn State student Adam Eglinger stepped up to present his research on digital privacy law in Chicago last fall, he wasn't just completing a class assignment. He was entering a national conversation on how personal data is protected, or left vulnerable, under conflicting state and federal laws.

A Penn State criminal justice professor helped Eglinger and two other students push their research further, guiding them from ideas to a national criminal justice conference where they could test their work, sharpen their thinking and grow as emerging scholars. 

The students, from Penn State World Campus and Penn State Harrisburg, presented their original research at the Midwestern Criminal Justice Association's (MJCA) 48th Annual Meeting, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to national conversations on criminal justice policy and reform. 

Every fall, the MJCA's meeting aims to showcase important research and policy work being done across the country. The conference is affiliated with the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, with scholars, practitioners and students attending. Students come from all over the country to present their research.

The contingent from Penn State comprised Shauntey James, an assistant professor of criminal justice at Penn State Harrisburg who also teaches online for Penn State World Campus; Harrisburg student Norah Singh; and World Campus students Eglinger and Hope Samuel. The three students are criminal justice majors and members of the Criminal Justice Club that James advises. They chose to take part in the event after encouragement from her.

Students take research to the national stage

Eglinger, a World Campus criminal justice major, travelled from his home in Austin, Texas. His project covered digital privacy, with a focus on a federal privacy law and one from California. He specifically pointed out how the two privacy laws don't line up with each other well, which creates gaps in how personal data is protected.

The conference, Eglinger said, "was a huge step in getting exposure to these types of events for me, practicing my public speaking, and networking with future lawyers and policy makers."

Samuel, a World Campus student from the U.S. Virgin Islands, presented her research examining how U.S. laws are applied in international conflicts and how government accountability can be strengthened.

Samuel said the experience was both exciting and rewarding, as this was her first major academic conference. She added that sharing her work and receiving feedback from other attendees helped her grow academically and personally, strengthening her confidence and communication skills.

Singh, a Harrisburg campus criminal justice major from Queens, New York, presented her research on the use of virtual reality in criminal justice education.

Singh said the conference was one of the best experiences she has had since starting college. In addition, traveling to a new city, presenting her work and learning from other students reminded her of the value of taking advantage of new opportunities.

Faculty mentorship supports student success

James teaches both in person and in the undergraduate criminal justice program for Penn State World Campus, and she serves as adviser for the Criminal Justice Club for online and residential students.

James said her goal for the students attending the conference is for them to have their research accepted, present their work and receive feedback to strengthen their projects. The ultimate objective is for participants to use the feedback to refine their research and submit their work to academic journals.

"Presenting at a national criminal justice conference allows undergraduate students to move from learning about the field to actively contributing to it, building confidence, professional identity and a deeper understanding of how their ideas can shape real-world conversations in criminal justice," James said.

Financial support for the students' travel and participation was provided through Penn State Harrisburg's School of Public Affairs and Penn State World Campus. Eileen Ahlin, interim director of the School of Public Affairs, said the school uses a combination of endowment and general funds to help students who are actively involved in research present their work at conferences. She said the process helps open doors for future academic and professional opportunities.

The students said they were grateful for the opportunity to present their research and attend the conference, describing the experience as both rewarding and meaningful. The event reinforced the value of taking advantage of new opportunities and continuing to pursue research beyond the classroom.

The students appreciated the mentorship of James.

"She is truly an amazing advocate for student growth and enrichment, and I am so happy to have met her," Eglinger said.

Learn how Penn State World Campus supports working adults pursuing degrees in fields like criminal justice.