The Criminal Justice Department at St. Joseph’s University, New York was selected among 2,350 potential programs to receive the prestigious National Criminal Justice Month Program of the Year Award from the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS). This award is in recognition of the one criminal justice program across North America that coordinates and participates in a variety of criminal justice, community, and social awareness events throughout March 2025.
A First-Time Achievement
The Criminal Justice Department at SJNY participated in 12 extracurricular and experiential events across both campuses in honor of National Criminal Justice Month, including trips to the U.S. District Court to witness a naturalization ceremony and federal detention hearing, hosting informational law school workshops across both campuses with SJNY alumni and guest presenters from the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Intelligence Bureau.
Moreover, criminal justice students led with campus-based events including criminal justice bingo, a mock interview workshop, a clothing drive and club elections among others. With over 200 students attending various criminal justice events throughout the month, student and faculty participation helped advance justice education, civic engagement and career readiness.
Winning the National Criminal Justice Month Program of the Year marks a first in the Criminal Justice Department’s history. Many of the events accounted for were coordinated by Jason Ostrowe, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and club adviser to the L.I. Law and Justice Society.
Professor Jason Ostrowe, Ph.D. and Law & Justice Society President Taylor Burns.
As an active member of the ACJS, Professor Ostrowe submitted the application for Program of the Year Award on behalf of SJNY for consideration.
“This award only begins to recognize the hard work and dedication of our students. This achievement would not have been possible without their willingness to excel. They’re the ones who made it happen,” said Professor Ostrowe.
One organization in particular he attributed to helping secure the award is the L.I. Law and Justice Society. This student-led organization hosted many of the events responsible for securing the award such the Suffolk County Police Department’s K-9 unit’s visit to the Long Island Campus.
“As President of the Law and Justice Society, I am incredibly proud that we have been recognized with the 2025 National Criminal Justice Month Program of the Year award from ACJS,” said Taylor Burns, a SJNY student ambassador and club president.
Led by Burns, the Law and Justice Society received the Student Government Association (SGA) club of the year, and club president of the year for the 2024-2025 academic year.
With 153 students across both campuses during the 2024-2025 academic year, criminal justice is SJNY’s fifth largest declared major. Students who graduate from the program often pursue longstanding careers as law enforcement officers, advocacy and policy experts, and practicing attorneys.
As the largest association for criminal justice scholars, practitioners and advocates for over 60 years, the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences recognizes approximately 2,350 criminal justice and criminal justice-related programs across North America.
Looking Ahead
Students from SJNY will be attending the ACJS 63rd Annual Meeting in Philadelphia this March to accept the award in-person, accompanied by criminal justice faculty who will also be in attendance to present their latest research at the conference.
“This honor is a true testament to the dedication and passion of our entire board, reflecting the impact of our work and motivates us to continue the meaningful events we plan for our campus,” Burns concluded.
Below are photos from various SJNY programs and events from last year’s Criminal Justice Month:
