SPEA course provides rare face-to-face conversations with offenders

“This was my Damascus Road”

Posted on March 12, 2018 by Leslie Wells

Students in J331 Corrections course visit the Indiana Women's Prison — Students in J331 Corrections course visit the Indiana Women’s Prison

On a misty Friday afternoon, students in Robert Bingham’s J331 Corrections course gather outside the Indiana Women’s Prison. They’ve traded their normal classroom for a unique behind-the-scenes look at the prison, its programs, and a rare opportunity to talk to inmates.

“These lessons can’t be taught through a book or a lecture,” Bingham says. “Students have to experience this first-hand.”

They walk through a high-security metal door into the visitation room. Michelle Waire, a criminal justice major, and Matthew Behrmann, a public safety management major, aren’t sure what to expect. They both hope to walk away with better insight into the criminal justice system.

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Brackets For Good, Research for All

Posted on March 5, 2018 by Leslie Wells

Huddled around a kitchen table, Cali Curley, Jamie Levine Daniel and Marlene Walk discuss their latest research project. They’re focused on the innovative concept of competitive philanthropy.

“We typically don’t talk about nonprofits in terms of competition, despite the fact that they are competing for resources,” Levine Daniel says. “While nonprofits often have a negative view of competition, we wanted to explore its true impact.”

The team of SPEA researchers now have their chance, thanks to the charitable organization Brackets For Good. Each March, Brackets For Good hosts online, March Madness bracket-style fundraising tournaments in cities around the country. Participating organizations all try to out-fundraise the others, with the winner receiving an additional $10,000. Since its inception, Brackets For Good has helped nonprofits raise $6,350,000. (more…)

MURDER IN AMERICA Returns

Posted on February 26, 2018 by Leslie Wells

Kenna Quinet has spent 35 years of her life studying homicide. “As long as there have been human beings, there have been homicides,” she says.

She’s gathered data and case files for decades, worked on cold case investigations, and recently became a certified medicolegal death investigator. She and her co-authors literally just re-wrote the book on homicide, with the fifth edition of “The Will to Kill” textbook set to release in April.

Now, after a nearly five-year hiatus, she’s bringing back one of SPEA’s most popular courses for the Fall 2018 semester. “Murder in America” takes an in-depth look at homicide laws, data, theory, and intervention strategies. The class also focuses on different types of homicide: domestic, serial, mass, medical, school, and cults. (more…)

SPEA alumna receives prestigious Maynard K. Hine Award

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Leslie Wells

Kathy Koehler shows off her SPEA pride everywhere she goes.

Kathy Koehler’s passion for SPEA is as contagious as her positive personality. Even her bright red Mini Cooper is branded with “SPEON,” the insider nickname SPEA alumni have given themselves.

Yet Koehler’s commitment to SPEA runs much deeper than a personalized license plate or a unifying nickname. Her lasting link and service to SPEA has earned Koehler a spot among this year’s recipients of the Maynard K. Hine Award.

Created in 1974, the prestigious award, named for IUPUI’s first chancellor, recognizes alumni who have made a significant impact on campus. Koehler will receive her bronze medal on Thursday during the IUPUI Alumni Leaders Dinner.

“Being nominated and selected as a recipient of the Maynard K. Hine award is humbling,” Koehler said. “I truly believe I get more from my work with SPEA than I could ever give back. I am incredibly grateful for this honor.” (more…)

SPEA Lecturer Provides Insider Glimpse into Securing the Olympics

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Leslie Wells

Most students walking the halls of SPEA weren’t alive when Eric Rudolph bombed the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. They may not have heard the news reports that falsely blamed security guard Richard Jewell for the fatal attack. Nor do they know what happened in the aftermath of the explosion.

But Jim White does.

“When I talk about Atlanta, I can tell (students), ‘Look, this is what happened,’’’ says White, who is a clinical lecturer in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IUPUI.

“I was there. This is what we did. This is how it went down.”

For the next three weeks, Pyeongchang, South Korea will capture much of the world’s attention as it plays host to the 2018 Winter Olympics. While many focus on the competition, pageantry and emotion that comes with the Olympic Games, others – including White – watch through a different lens. (more…)