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