UTC Criminal Justice

Research doesn’t have to be overwhelming!📚💭  Chapel Cowden helps UTC students find sources, build ideas and gain confidence. Learn more about Chapel Cowden: blog.utc.edu/news/2026/03/t…

UTC Honors students are partnering with local organizations—turning ideas into real-world impact across Chattanooga! 🤝 blog.utc.edu/news/2026/03/u….

She provided information about the Hamilton County Recovery Court overall, as well as the requirement criteria for eligibility, the statistics regarding recidivism rates and overdose rates overall and specifically in Chattanooga.

Undergraduate students in MSCJ student, Riley Saunders’, Introduction to Criminal Justice course got a surprise visitor this morning! Shannon Morgan, the program director for the Hamilton County Recovery Court, came to speak to her class this morning about speciality courts.

Congratulations to @UTChattanooga on the recent approval of its new strategic plan, Momentum. This bold roadmap will guide the Mocs through 2030, strengthening student success, expanding research and deepening UTC’s impact across Chattanooga and the state. Excited to see UTC continue building momentum as we work together to make this the greatest decade in the history of the University of Tennessee.

Dr. Garland and Prof. Knox were recruiting at the College and Career Fair at Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences yesterday! Did you see them there? 💙💛 @UTChattanooga

Congrats to Dr. Denney!

The article examines how AI-related criminal justice issues are covered in the media, specifically focusing on AI applications in law enforcement, courts, corrections, and related areas. Their co-authors are two EKU graduate students, Dylan Rakestraw and Jacob Pendleton.

Drs. Denney and Copenhaver's (Eastern Kentucky University) article "Media Portrayals of AI Use in the Criminal Justice System: A Mixed-Methods Study" was accepted for publication in Criminal Justice Review. @UTChattanooga

📣 🩺 UTC’s Dr. Kristi Wick received the 2026 Outstanding Faculty Practice Award from the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties! Her work with MobileMOC proudly expands rural health care and student learning. blog.utc.edu/news/2026/03/u…

YOU are invited to *FREE* art classes at the Dr. Carol B. Berz Family Justice Center. No need to register Just show up! *No prior art experience is needed. *All materials are provided 5705 Uptain Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37411 #FREE #chattanooga #hamilton #fjc #art #creative

MSCJ student, Kaitlin Brown, presented her project, “Adversity to Healing: The Impact of Positive Childhood Experienced on Belonging” at the @acjs_national annual meeting! This project is part of Kaitlin’s thesis. We are so proud of you!

Dr. Denney presented his and Dr. Dierenfeldt’s co-authored project, “Recidivism Reduction Initiative: Year One Evaluation of a County Misdemeanor Probation Program.” This project comes from their grant running through our departments’ Violence Reduction Initiative! @UTChattanooga

Congratulations, Kat, we are so proud of you! 🎉 Her thesis is part of a grant funded project to reduce gun violence in Chattanooga. Her committee consisted of her chair, Dr. Dierenfeldt, and committee members - Drs. Hancock and Denney.

We are excited to announce that Kathleen (Kat) Hillman successfully defended her Master’s thesis, “The Nature of Violence: Exploring how Community and Incident Characteristics Influence the Likelihood that Gun Crimes Become Multi-Victim Events.” @UTChattanooga

Grateful for the opportunity to feature these wonderful Award winners from @ACJS_VS Congratulations to: This year's Outstanding Grad Student Luisa Prout Outstanding Grad Student Honorable Mention Godwin Egbe Impact Award Winner: Michelle Howard of the Hope Initiative

They will offer advice for those who are interested in working for the FBI, and engage in a Q&A session with you! @UTChattanooga @FBI

Students, mark your calendars! 🎉Our SP 2026 offering of the Vic Bumphus Criminal Justice Speaker Series is set for Wednesday, March 25, from 5:30-7:00 pm in Fletcher 105. This year, we will feature two speakers from the FBI who will discuss their careers & some case examples!

Your group chat might be more useful than you realize. 📱 Dr. Brandon Bouchillon studies how texting and games can build trust and empathy. blog.utc.edu/news/2026/02/g…