The Outstanding Student in Criminal Justice Studies Award honors the accomplishments of graduating Criminal Justice Studies minors.
The Outstanding Student in Criminal Justice Studies Award recognizes a senior student minoring in Criminal Justice Studies who has shown outstanding academic achievement and service to the field of criminal justice studies through internships, independent study, research, or participation in criminal justice studies organizations.
This year’s award goes to Jacob Hayward and Sarah Boggins, two members of the Class of 2020 who have exemplified the spirit of the award through their academic excellence, research contributions to the study of crime and criminal justice, and undertaking of independent study.
Jacob Hayward is majoring in policy studies and sociology with a minor in criminal justice studies. He is an Elon College Fellow whose independent research has addressed many issues in the function and study of criminal justice. His Fellows research was titled “The Effect of Partisanship on State Correctional Healthcare Spending.” In addition, he conducted original research on criminal justice studies students’ attitudes in his research titled “Shaping Sympathy? Courses on Crime and Student Attitudes towards Prisoners.” Hayward will attend the Northeastern University School of Law in the fall and after law school he hopes to work in prisoner right’s litigation.
Sarah Boggins is majoring in mathematics with minors in criminal justice studies and peace and conflict studies. She will be commissioning the U.S. Air Force as a second lieutenant upon her graduation. While at Elon, Boggins has excelled academically and completed independent study on criminal justice topics that will prepare her for her military career. She will be acting as a Gold Bar Recruiter for her first year on active duty, after which she will be sent to her next duty location to begin working as a Force Support officer.
Reflecting on her time at Elon, Boggins reports:
“My time at Elon has provided me with an array of experiences, ranging from an independent study with Dr. Duane McClearn regarding espionage and counterintelligence; research with Dr. Justin Clar in the chemistry department; numerous enriching leadership experiences in AFROTC; recruiting students for the Peace & Conflict Studies minor in my role as a student representative; and interacting with Elon’s students as a Resident Assistant. These are just a few of the enlightening academic and leadership opportunities I’ve had while at Elon. I am so grateful for the guidance and knowledge I’ve received from my professors and mentors — without them, I would not be the individual I am today.”