Inspired by Grandmother, Student Helps Lead Criminal Justice Day Activities

Keiser University students recently enjoyed introducing about 400 Palm Beach School District Choice Program learners to the world of law enforcement as part of their Criminal Justice Day event held at Keiser University’s Flagship Campus. To view ABC (WPBF) coverage of the event, please visit here.

The law enforcement profession will provide Olivia Rijo, a Keiser Forensics freshman, the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of her grandmother, a former New York City Police Officer while also fulfilling her desire to solve crime. “I always had a knack for solving puzzles and doing things such as escape rooms,” she said while adding that the hands-on opportunities to apply textbook theory and strategy toward real-world scenarios have been invaluable. ”In my forensic classes, we learn from the textbook for a few minutes, discuss it, and then immediately apply it to real life. One day we went outside and created blood spatters, then switched with our classmates and had to determine which patterns they were…. It’s amazing to feel so connected to the real world and directly see how what we’re learning applies,” she said.

Under the leadership of Professor and Criminal Justice and Forensics Concentration Department Program Director Scott Addlesberger, the event was commemorated with a Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office helicopter landing on Keiser’s football field. It included several interactive activities such as a mock crime scene, a student panel, K-9 and motorcycle demonstrations, SWAT trucks and gear, a bomb squad, drone and fire units, a Marine patrol boat, a roll cage for traffic simulations, and a variety of other hands-on opportunities to learn about the field.

For graduate student Milena Isturiz, the desire to pursue justice was compounded after having witnessed her parents, both journalists, report crime regularly throughout her childhood in her native Argentina. “I knew I wanted to work in this field to help investigate those crimes, especially when they go undetected or hidden under the table. Police departments can be very corrupt back home, so I wanted to be able to work in a system where goals are achieved,” said Isturiz who is thankful to intern on the federal level after graduating summa cum laude with her Keiser University Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice.

Student Dillon Simon shared his motivations for entering the field. “I have gained valuable knowledge on what to expect regarding the career. I have taken courses in corrections, deviant behavior, criminology, juvenile procedures, organized crime, ethics, criminal law, constitutional procedures, criminal investigations, terrorism, cybercrime, and many more. I learned a lot about perception versus reality. My criminal Justice instructors were people who gave me insights on real-life experiences they faced throughout their law enforcement careers,” he said while also drawing parallels between his academic life as a student and his role as a Keiser University football athlete.

“Although we can’t control everything, we can control our attitude, work ethic, leadership, and integrity throughout all situations in life. I learned firsthand from my injuries last season what it meant to be a leader, teammate, and committed individual. I wasn’t able to play much due to injuries, but I knew my teammates needed some motivation and support,” said Simon.

Keiser University thanks its instructors who bring real-world experience to the classrooms, as many are active or prior serving law enforcement members from a variety of fields. Faculty, staff and students are also very thankful to those who will attend the event including participating partners from:

· Palm Beach County’s Sheriff’s Office (including its Crime Lab covering DNA, forensics, and more) and Fire Rescue

· Florida’s Highway Patrol, Fish and Wildlife Commission, and Department of Corrections Probation

· The West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Riviera Beach, and School District of Palm Beach County’s Police Departments

· The United State Coast Guard, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, and Immigration Customs Enforcement

Keiser University’s Criminal Justice programs cover topics that include but are not limited to deviant behavior, forensics, law enforcement, investigation, victimology, private security, corrections, and juvenile justice and how components work together and are governed by our laws, the Supreme Court, and the U.S. Constitution. This exploration of the American criminal justice system culminates with an emphasis on research, analysis, and the system’s future.

School District of Palm Beach County Choice Programs reflect the diversity of the district and are designed to attract all Palm Beach County students. Families with students entering pre-kindergarten through grade 12 can choose from an array of Choice and Career and Technical Education (CTE) theme-based curricula offerings at the elementary, middle, and high school levels that provide innovative and rigorous academic instruction by specially trained teachers.

Keiser University’s Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice provides preparation in many areas of the criminal justice system. Topics include but are not limited to deviant behavior, forensics, law enforcement and investigation, victimology, private security, corrections, and juvenile justice and how components work together and are governed by our laws, the Supreme Court, and the U.S. Constitution. This exploration of the American criminal justice system culminates with an emphasis on research, analysis, and the future of the system.

Keiser University is a private, independent, non-profit university serving nearly 20,000 students at 21 Florida campuses, online, and two international sites. Founded in 1977 by Chancellor Arthur Keiser, Ph.D., and Evelyn Keiser, Keiser University currently offers more than 100 degrees from associate to doctoral level. Keiser University is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and was ranked No. 21 in the U.S. in Social Mobility by U.S. News and World Report in 2023-24.