This Year's 2006 Outstanding Student



This year’s 2006 John E. Morin Outstanding Student Leader Award, presented by Tau Alpha Omicron, went to Jamie Steiner. Steiner will graduate in 2006 with a double major in criminal justice and psychology. She then plans to attend graduate school to become a forensic psychologist. Aside from her leadership skills, Steiner also brings other talents to the growing field of criminal justice.

At this year's American Criminal Justice Association's regional competition, Steiner was presented with multiple academic and crime scene investigation awards, plus a third place finish in handgun. She went on to help her TSU team place second in the national crime scene investigation competition this year. Next year, TSU will host the national competition.

According to Steiner, TSU has provided her with hands-on training in a field that is based on technical training. Professors at TSU are practitioner-based, giving students first-hand knowledge about the topic they are teaching.

One of Steiner's professors, Craig Laker, chair of the criminal justice department, helped Steiner to acquire an internship over the summer at the Indiana Women's Correctional Facility. She will be working with all departments, including juveniles, psychiatry, and pregnancy unit, in order to get a better idea of the different branches in forensic psychology.

"I am fascinated with the criminal mind," said Steiner. "I want to understand why criminals do what they do."