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

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 ’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.

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

• Kaitlin Brown ’25
• Catherine Carvalho ’25
• Sarah Gaudreau ’25
• Olivia Hall ’25
• Megan Jenkins ’25
• Forrest D. Kreeger ’25
• Alyssa Larivee ’25
• Vanessa Latorelli ’25
• Megan Macneil ’25
• Madison Marino ’25
• Sarah Marsh ’25
• Kayla Schuler ’25
• Ashleigh Siciliano ’25
• Macey Smith ’25