Psychological Science Professor Thomas Schilling teaches his Adult Learning in the Fitchburg Area (ALFA) course A History of the Modern Mind in the McKay Campus School. In this course, students will attempt to answer the question that the brain and mind are inextricably linked by studying how major thinkers from antiquity (ancient Greek philosophers) to Renaissance and Enlightenment thinkers (Descartes, Hume, Kant), to our modern scientific era (cognitive science) have attempted to answer this question. Our survey will help to reveal the enormity of the mind and its infinite capacity for meaning making.

Criminal Justice Professor Dr. David Weiss discusses the nature, history, role, operations and management of law enforcement agencies with students in his Theory & Practices of Policing course.

Director of Admissions Tony Trodella welcomed students enrolled in Smith Vocational & Agricultural High School's Public Safety program to campus this morning to learn about our Criminal Justice (CJ) & Fitchburg State University Police Program. Criminal Justice Professor Michael S. McCutcheon led a Police Program/CJ info session and mock lesson with current student available to answer questions. Director of Admissions Tony Trodella then gave highlights of Fitchburg State University, including how to apply with a campus tour following. Last, but not least, was lunch at our Holmes Dining Commons before departure back to Northampton, MA. 

Students who've completed a Criminal Justice (CJ) internship gave presentations about their particular internships to Professor Eileen Kirk and other students. Here, a student spoke about her internship with the Mendon, MA police Department.

Lourdes Ramirez, Coordinator of Field Placements, Partnerships and Recruitment for Fitchburg State’s School of Education, Early College Dual Enrollment, Fernando Garcia-Rodriguez and Assistant Director of Admissions Eliezer Rivera a cohort of local high school students enrolled in The Future Educator Academy program to campus for a day of programming. Students completed a badge focused on topics in education; CPR- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation with Fitchburg State University Police Off. Emily Ramos, Peer Mediation and Conflict Resolution Techniques with School of Education Professor Emily Fournier, Career Planning & My Future Badge with Career Services and Advising Center Director Lindsay Carpenter Connors, and  Supporting Mental Wellness in the Classroom with Behavioral Sciences Professor Megan Krell, College Reading & Learning Association with Director of the Academic Coaching and Tutoring Center (ACT)  Kat McLellan, and more. 

Criminal Justice Professor Eileen Kirk welcomed alumni to her First Year Experience (FYE): Behavioral Sciences course today to discuss various aspects of the criminal justice system. Nicole Berthiaume'06,'13 of LifeStance Health, Maeghan Alansky '24 of the  Fitchburg District Court, Travis Morcaldi '22, '23 of the Fitchburg Police Department, and Jevon Brown-Simpson '18 of the Massachusetts Department of Correction discussed their experiences at Fitchburg State University and how it lead them to their current careers.

Students in Professor Michael S. McCutcheon's Criminal Investigation course got to try their hands at fingerprint collecting. After leaving their own fingerprints on various surface types, the students dusted, and lifted the prints using situation/surface specific methodologies. The course will enables the student to understand the fundamentals of the criminal investigation process. They will explore investigative techniques in crime scene search, collection and use of evidence and information. This semester students are using Dr. McCutcheon's recently published Crime Scene Workbook. Learn more about our Criminal Justice Program here.

Economics, History and Political Science Professor Paul Weizer, introduced  Criminal Justice Program  Professor Michael S. McCutcheon  in the Ellis White Lecture Hall. As part of Fitchburg State University's week long observation of Constitution Day 2025 McCutcheon presented "Due Process and Law Enforcement." The week full of events are organized by the General Education Program co-sponsored with the Office of Student Engagement and the Student Government Association.

The 13 members of the 8th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) at Fitchburg State were sworn in as police officers on Friday September 12, 2025 before an audience of family, friends, elected leaders and public safety professionals. All of the graduates of our groundbreaking program have already been hired by police departments across the state. As President Donna Hodge told the assembled graduates and audience, “This academy is more than a program, It is a promise. A promise that public higher education and public safety can work hand in hand. A promise that innovation and integrity can meet in the same training ground. A promise that Massachusetts can lead the nation in preparing those who serve and protect." Read the full article here.

Criminal Justice Professor Dr. David Weiss went over the lesson plan for his Domestic Terror & Hate Crime in the McKay Campus School this morning. This course introduces students to the variety of extremist groups within the United States and examines their history, nature, extent and dangerousness. It also explores hate crime, a relatively new responsibility of the criminal justice system. Students will look at the social construction of hate crime and issues concerning its enforcement.