Teaching, Learning and Scholarship

The purpose of the Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship (TLS) Section is to bring together Academy members to serve as a multifaceted resource to assist faculty, practitioners, students, administrators, and concerned citizens in their integration of innovative and effective teaching and learning techniques, and the scholarship of teaching within the field of criminal justice education and training.

Any current regular member or student member of ACJS is welcomed as a new member. Section dues are $20 for regular members and FREE for students.  We are one of the newest sections but have a growing membership and we look forward to recruiting new members who have a passion for teaching, learning and scholarship to help our section thrive.  

TO JOIN THE SECTION

Only members of ACJS can join a Section. To join ACJS and add a Section, complete the membership application.  If you are an existing member and would like to ADD a Section to your membership, please select the Section (only) on the membership application and complete the payment process.

Be sure to routinely update your member profile, particularly if you change your email address or institution, to ensure you receive current news and information from the Section!

Also, you can find us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/acjstls.

Our section website and email list serve as a way for us to share various research and teaching ideas among our members.  Our website is a place where we can share syllabi, teaching strategies, rubrics, and online as well as in-class assignments to use in our courses.   

Your annual dues provide you the opportunity to attend any social gathering and general business meeting held at the ACJS Annual Meeting.  They also give you access to our webpage, allow you to be eligible for section awards and you will receive the TLS Section Newsletter where members may submit materials for publication.  The newsletter also includes updates on section events, board membership as well as general membership.

We look forward to having you as a member of the TLS Section.

The TLS section awards recognize outstanding contributions to teaching, learning, and scholarship in criminal justice. Members are encouraged to nominate colleagues that have exhibited dedication to innovative and evidence-based teaching and learning methods that result in research-based expanded student learning. Self-nominations are also welcomed. Deadline: January 14, 2024.

TLS Fellow Award
in recognition of distinguished contribution to criminal justice education. This award honors a criminal justice faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding contributions to teaching and learning. It requires at least five years of teaching criminal justice, criminology, or related courses. The TLS Fellows Award is considered the highest honor of the Section and reflects long-term and substantial contributions to the fields of teaching and learning. Winners will receive a $100 cash award, a plaque of recognition, and will be honored at the annual TLS Section General Business Meeting. Self-nominations are allowed and encouraged.

TLS Innovative Design Award
in recognition of an outstanding and innovative pedagogical method in criminal justice. Winners will receive a $50 cash award, a plaque of recognition, and will be honored at the annual TLS Section General Business Meeting. Self-nominations are allowed and encouraged.

TLS Outstanding Scholarship Award
in recognition of an outstanding article on teaching or learning in criminal justice published within the past two years. Winners will receive a $50 cash award, a plaque of recognition, and will be honored at the annual TLS Section General Business Meeting. Self-nominations are allowed and encouraged.

TLS Outstanding Graduate Student Award is in recognition of an outstanding current graduate student who is actively engaged in course development, instructional techniques, and involvement with students in the classroom. Examples include 1) creation or use of new and innovative teaching methods and course materials and 2) creation of challenging and/or innovative courses. Nominations must include 1) two letters in support (1 to 3 pages), and 2) a letter from the nominator that provides rationale and evidence for why the nominee has advanced learning through pedagogically sound and innovative curriculum design, and (3) a syllabus and other supporting documents related to the pedagogical method. Evidence may include design research indicating enhanced learning, persistence, or student evaluations. Winners will receive a $50 cash award, a plaque of recognition, and will be honored at the annual TLS Section General Business Meeting. Self-nominations are allowed and encouraged.

Current members of the Executive Board are as follows:

Chair – Allen Wong, Wentworth Institute of Technology
Term of office ends: 2024

Vice Chair – Vacant
Term of office ends:

Secretary/Treasurer – Samantha M. Gavin, St. Bonaventure University
Term of office ends: 2023

Executive Counselor – Andrea Krieg, Elmhurst University
Term of office ends: 2024

Executive Counselor – Tiffany Kragnes, Colorado Mesa University
Term of office ends: 2024

Executive Counselor – Tara Parrello, Dominican University
Term of office ends:  2023

Student Representative –  Alyssa LeBerge, Michigan State University
Term of office ends: 2024

Immediate Past Chair - Shavonne Arthurs, Seton Hill University
Term of office ends:  2024