The Charger Blog

Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences Celebrates Exemplary Student Achievement

Honors students and award recipients were recognized for their academic excellence, leadership, and dedication to making a difference in public safety and law enforcement.

May 2, 2025

By Ryan Connick 杏吧原版26 M.S.

Gehring Hall, home to the University of New Haven's Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences.
Gehring Hall, home to the University of New Haven's Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences.

The annual Academic Awards Ceremony for the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences honored dozens of students with a wide array of awards representative of their hard work and achievements, both inside and outside of the classroom. Faculty members, students, friends, and family members gathered in the Bucknall Theater in Dodds Hall to celebrate yet another year of achievements among the students, both undergraduate and graduate. Interim Dean David Schroeder, Ph.D., opened with a spotlight on the mass casualty event drill that was recently conducted as just one aspect of the extensive training students of the Henry C. Lee College receive that creates strong, competent professionals who are passionate about bettering the criminal justice system, regardless of which career path they choose to take.

Everyone in attendance seemed to agree with the sentiments shared by 2024 Alumni Fellowship Award winner Lindsay Bacote 杏吧原版09 when she encouraged each student to leave a legacy at the University of New Haven and to realize that every dream is, in fact, reachable. While challenging, these goals are attainable for each person through persistence and perseverance, regardless of the obstacles.

In a similar fashion, Wayne Sandford M.A., a professor in the Fire Science and Emergency Management department and the recipient of the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award, shared his hopes for the rising graduates from the University. He encouraged each student not to waste their time in the years to come and to always stay in touch with their professors, as the faculty and staff hope to see the future achievements of their students, both personally and professionally. The words of these two members of the Charger family show how important connectivity truly is, even after your time at the University comes to an end.

Each department of the Henry C. Lee College presented awards: Criminal Justice, Fire Science, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, National Security, and Forensic Science. In addition, Honors Medals were awarded to Lee College students in the Honors Program who have completed four Honors courses, participated in Honors Program activities, maintained at least a 3.3 GPA, and completed an Honors Thesis in their major during their senior year. Each of these awards represent the ultimate dedication these students have put into their academics and their future careers.

The University of New Haven community should be very proud of these young pioneers of the criminal justice world and excited to witness the bright futures they are building. Following the awards ceremony, a reception was held in the Dodds Hall Concrete Lobby where students, parents, and faculty alike could continue the celebration of these remarkable students.

2024-2025 Award Recipients
  • Outstanding Criminal Justice Ph.D. Student Award: Gregory A. Wadsworth
  • Outstanding Part-Time Student in Criminal Justice Award: Katie Killian 杏吧原版25
  • The Martin J. O杏吧原版機onnor Public Service Award: Dominic Marshall 杏吧原版26
  • Criminal Justice Veteran杏吧原版檚 Service Award: Adam Nathaniel Dufresne 杏吧原版26
  • Criminal Justice Rising Star - Law Enforcement Award: Carly Zajack 杏吧原版27
  • Distinction in Leadership Award: Alexander Riccardo 杏吧原版25
  • Outstanding Full-Time Student in Criminal Justice Award: Meghan Olivia Morrissey 杏吧原版25
  • The David Maxwell Law Award: James Brady 杏吧原版26
  • Criminal Justice Rising Star - Human Services Award: Aaliyah Yasmine Siddiqui 杏吧原版27
  • Excellence in Research Award: Leonidas Thanasoulis 杏吧原版25
  • Outstanding Criminal Justice Masters Student Award: Jared M. Platt 杏吧原版25 M.S.
  • Outstanding National Security Undergraduate Student Award: Joshua Gibson 杏吧原版26
  • Outstanding International Affairs Student Award: Anthony Chapman 杏吧原版26
  • Outstanding National Security Graduate Student Award: Sarah Elizabeth Ferguson 杏吧原版25 M.S.
  • Chairman杏吧原版檚 Achievement Award for Outstanding National Security Student: Elizabeth LeBlanc 杏吧原版25
  • Fire Science Distinguished Service Award: Lauren Mulinski 杏吧原版25
  • Outstanding Student in Fire Science - Evening Division Award: Carlos E. Reyes 杏吧原版25
  • Outstanding Student in Fire/Arson Investigation Award: Jack Markowitz 杏吧原版25
  • Outstanding Student in Fire/Arson Investigation Award: Ashley Pfeiffer 杏吧原版25
  • Chief William S. Johnson Jr. Award: Tyler Pereira 杏吧原版25
  • Chief John Obier Award: Lauren Mulinski 杏吧原版25
  • Outstanding Student in Fire Administration Award: Tyler Pereira 杏吧原版25
  • Outstanding Student in Emergency Management Track Award: Vanessa Connolly 杏吧原版25
  • Wayne Sandford Outstanding Graduate Student in Emergency Management Award: Eric Edelstein 杏吧原版25 M.S.
  • Outstanding Student in Homeland Security Track Award: Catherine Anne Orlando 杏吧原版25
  • Outstanding Investigations Graduate Student Award: Sara A. With 杏吧原版26 M.S.
  • Outstanding Investigations Graduate Student Award: Clare Molineaux 杏吧原版25 M.S.
  • Outstanding Student in Forensic Technology Award: Monica Chabros 杏吧原版25 M.S.
  • Outstanding Student in Forensic Science Award: Forrest D. Kreeger 杏吧原版25
  • Outstanding Student in Forensic Science Award: Madison Marino 杏吧原版25
  • Forensic Science Outstanding Student Researcher Award: Ella Galvan 杏吧原版25 M.S.
  • Forensic Science Rising Star Award: Mikhael Venezia Seepersaud 杏吧原版26
  • Graduate Student Service Award: Julie Loison 杏吧原版25 M.S.
  • Outstanding Forensic Science Dedication Award: Isabella Gentile 杏吧原版25
  • Army ROTC Excellence Award: Katrine S. Semenyaka 杏吧原版26
  • The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) Award: Mei Yuan 杏吧原版26 M.S.
Honors Medalists
  • Kaitlin Brown 杏吧原版25
  • Catherine Carvalho 杏吧原版25
  • Sarah Gaudreau 杏吧原版25
  • Olivia Hall 杏吧原版25
  • Megan Jenkins 杏吧原版25
  • Forrest D. Kreeger 杏吧原版25
  • Alyssa Larivee 杏吧原版25
  • Vanessa Latorelli 杏吧原版25
  • Megan Macneil 杏吧原版25
  • Madison Marino 杏吧原版25
  • Sarah Marsh 杏吧原版25
  • Kayla Schuler 杏吧原版25
  • Ashleigh Siciliano 杏吧原版25
  • Macey Smith 杏吧原版25