Kaskaskia College Criminal Justice Program and Club

04/16/2025

While in Telecommunicator's Week, I want to share a testimony from one of our graduates who started his career as a telecommunicator.
KC graduate Trenton Gonzalez:
"I started working at the Effingham County Sheriff's Office as a 9-1-1 Telecommunicator while attending Kaskaskia College in 2017. I worked there until I began working as a full-time deputy at the Richland County Sheriff's Office in July 2021. In October 2023, I was selected as the canine handler and sent to the canine academy at Cedar Creek Kennels in Monmouth, Illinois. Since then, K9 Riggs has seized over $700 in US Currency, 75 grams of illegal narcotics, 5 weapons, and over 3,000 rounds of stolen ammunition.

The Kaskaskia College Criminal Justice Program helped me prepare for many of the classes I took at the police academy and for the tasks I face as a Sheriff's Deputy. The instructors I had during my time at Kaskaskia were still active in their career fields, and learning from them helped me learn how to write better reports and gave me the tools to have a solid foundation going into my law enforcement career, which can seem to be overwhelming had I not had the experience I did at Kaskaskia College.

I am now a part-time instructor at Olney Central College as well, and look to give the same knowledge and experience, I received at KC, to my students as they begin their journey into a great career field with so many opportunities to do things to challenge yourself and expand your knowledge while advancing your career."

Thank you,
K9 Officer Trenton Gonzalez

04/10/2025

As a Professor of Criminal Justice, I have encouraged our graduates to keep in touch as they grow and secure their professions in the field. One of our 2012 graduates, Derek Lercher, has don so through the years. I am so proud of our Border Patrol Agents and the tough work they have in order to protect our borders.

Derek has established his profession and done well as a husband, parent, and role-model.

"Good afternoon

Been a minute since I’ve reached out to you. Last email I believe was 2022. Just wanted to update you on my law enforcement career since then.

Still currently working as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer with CBP and the Office of Field Operations. Last time we spoke I was working at the Detroit, Michigan Land Border Port of Entry.

Since then I accepted assignment overseas with CBP Pre-Clearance operations in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We have many assignments with Pre-Clearance, Container Security Initiative (CSI), Immigration Advisory Program (IAP), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) among others all over the world.

CBP has always been a fulfilling career but Pre-Clearance even more so because we get to stop potential terrorists, drugs, weapons among other national security/immigration concerns BEFORE they enter the US.

We have 9 months remaining on our 2 year assignment. In January we move back to the US and are hoping for assignment in either St. Louis, Missouri or Nashville, Tennessee.

As always thank you for everything you've taught me and continue to teach others. Always enjoyed your classes sir.

Stay safe and maybe can catch up in person one day soon.

Derek Lercher
2012 graduate of CJ"

If you are interested in a profession in criminal justice, contact C.J. Program Coordinator, Kenneth Ingersoll at [email protected]. or send us a request on our website.

https://www.kaskaskia.edu/academics/academic-departments/criminal-justice/

04/10/2025

The Criminal Justice Program wishes to brag on a recent Kaskaskia College Criminal Justice graduate!

Alexis N. Miller finished her degrees in 2024. She started her education earlier, took a break, but returned to finish with amazing results.
She finished and graduated with a Criminal Justice Certificate, An Associates in Applied Science-Criminal Justice Degree, a Correctional Officer Degree, and a Private Security Certificate!

On one of our tours at a correctional center, I met up with her. She and another graduate were impromptu speakers on our tour.
I soon requested her to be in the spotlight for our program. She graciously accepted and wrote a testimony for our C.J. program.

"As a mom of two and a full-time Correctional Officer, I can personally attest to the excellence of Kaskaskia College’s Criminal Justice program. Balancing work, family, and education was challenging, but the program's flexible structure, comprehensive curriculum, and outstanding faculty made it possible for me to achieve my degrees and certificates. Professor Ingersoll played a crucial role in my success, offering expert instruction and unwavering support and guidance. His real-world knowledge and dedication to his students create an engaging learning environment that truly prepares individuals for a career in criminal justice. Kaskaskia College provided me with the tools and confidence I needed to excel in my field, and I highly recommend the program to anyone looking to advance in the world of criminal justice. With the Kaskaskia College partnership with Greenville University, I was able to transfer my credits, making the process seamless."


Correctional Officer Alexis Miller

Illinois Department of Corrections

04/10/2025

The Kaskaskia College Criminal Justice Program wants to brag about one of our recent graduates! Paige Roberts finished her Associates in Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice in December. In the last part of her degree, she completed an Internship with the Bond County Sheriff's Office. She was required to contact her intended hosting agency to seek acceptance with her internship hours. They accepted her and her time began.

Paige now works as a 9-1-1 Telecommunicator for Bond County!

I asked if she would agree to her photo to be used and a short statement about our C.J. program. She stated the following.

"I really enjoyed being a part of the criminal justice program, it’s well put together and gives many opportunities. Professor Ingersoll does an excellent job at teaching and helping students succeed."

If you are interested in the multiple professions within the Criminal Justice world, please contact our Criminal Justice Program Coordinator, Kenneth Ingersoll, at [email protected].
We can get you started as early as the summer semester!

Don't hesitate, if Criminal Justice is calling you, now is the greatest time to start securing your future!

https://www.kaskaskia.edu/academics/academic-departments/criminal-justice/

11/03/2024

On Friday, November 1, 2024, the Kaskaskia College Criminal Justice Program and Club hosted approximately 130 students in the Criminal Justice classroom. This event was administered by the Regional Office of Education (ROE).

During our morning sessions, students became familiar with our Criminal Justice Program courses, degrees, certificates, and the benefits of a college education in this field.
In the afternoon session, we hosted 25 students who learned the proper procedures of rolling and lifting latent prints. It was evident, that their involvement in this activity sparked direction toward our Criminal Justice Program.

We truly hope students considering college, will select the Kaskaskia College Criminal Justice Program!

If you or anyone you know are interested in the Criminal Justice Program, please contact Program Coordinator Kenneth Ingersoll at [email protected], or click on the below link to learn more.

https://www.kaskaskia.edu/academics/academic-departments/criminal-justice/

07/16/2024

If you are interested in a career as a Conservation Police Officer, here is your opportunity to apply!

Happy Monday,

The Application Process is OPEN!

Below you will find the link to the Conservation Police Officer Trainee Application. Please read the instructions carefully. When entering the County of Assignment, please enter in Sangamon County.


https://illinois.jobs2web.com/search/?searchby=location&createNewAlert=false&q=CONSERVATION+POLICE&locationsearch=&geolocation=&optionsFacetsDD_customfield3=Department+of+Natural+Resources&optionsFacetsDD_department=Public+Safety

The application will close on July 26, 2024. If you have questions please email or call me at 618-383-4241.

I have included the eligibility requirements link below.

https://dnr.illinois.gov/lawenforcement/conservationpoliceofficercareeropportunities.html

Thanks,


CPO Lisa Schoenhoff #480
IDNR – Region V Office
11731 St. Rt. 37
Benton, IL 62812

This page provides information for individuals interested in becoming Conservation Police Officer Trainees:

05/11/2024

On Friday night, May 10, 2024, Kaskaskia College celebrated our newest graduates!
Those Criminal Justice graduates who elected to walk are (L to R) Kassie Weideman, Aspen Schmidt, MaKenna Roedl, Lauren McDaniel, Professor Ingersoll, Dylan Rasler,
Not pictured Nicole Baldwin, Katelyn Biegeleisen.

Congratulations! May your future be blessed!

05/10/2024

Congratulations Adrianna!! Adrianna is a KC Criminal Justice student and our Secretary for the C.J. Club.
She truly deserves such an honor!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ADRIANNA TAFT!

Adrianna Taft was voted our 2024 - 2025 Illinois Sheriff's Association scholarship winner.

05/07/2024

The Kaskaskia College Criminal Justice Program would like to congratulate Bryce Atchison for his successful start in law enforcement! Bryce is a 2022 graduate of our Criminal Justice Program. In the photo, Bryce is the tallest and close to the center.

Three new Carbondale Police Officers graduated from the police academy today! Bryce Atchison, Alex Kraus and Jeff Smith. Deputy Chief Matt Dunning, Sgt. Teddy Lattan and Officer Dylan Yost joined them at the ceremony. Good luck gentleman on a great career!

05/06/2024

Congratulations to our 2021 KC Criminal Justice Graduate, Timothy Donoho!

04/15/2024

The Criminal Justice spring semester is an active time. In April, we were able to visit three correctional facilities.
On Tuesday, April 2nd, we visited Murphysboro Life Skills Re-Entry Center. Students learned the purpose of this center. Essentially, it is a minimum-security male prison that is focused on providing incarcerated people who are within five years of release the vital techniques and knowledge for reentry to our communities. While there we learned of the structured boot camp that allows inmates to shorten their sentences by participating in this program.

On Wednesday, April 3rd, we visited the Centralia Correctional Center. This is a medium-security male prison, located just to the south of Kaskaskia College. Students were escorted throughout the campus to learn about the living quarters, programs, and other vital operations of this facility.

Our third correctional center was Vandalia on Thursday, April 11th. This minimum security male facility was very informative too. The assistant warden as well as a couple of the majors escorted us around their campus. Our first stop was the gymnasium where we were met with speakers who were assigned to different areas within the prison. The importance of these speakers was to emphasize the different careers within corrections. The Department of Corrections is not just about correctional officers; there is a vast amount of careers within the agency.

While at Vandalia, we had two of our C.J. graduates working that day and were able to speak on the topic of "females in the corrections career." Several KC C.J. graduates were acknowledged throughout our trips. That is a strength of our Career & Technical Education (CTE) at Kaskaskia College!

The attached photo was the only one we took throughout our tours. I may note, that there was an assortment of different C.J. students on all three tours. These are the lucky ones!

04/15/2024

On Friday, April 12, 2024, Kaskaskia College and our district ROE hosted an 8th grade Career Conference.
There were over 1600 8th graders on our KC campus!
Before this day, students were able to choose five potential careers to visit while on campus. So, in an organized fashion, students spent twenty minutes listening to presenters speak about their careers. The intent is to get these young people to think about college and careers that will be upon them in a short four-year stretch.
In Criminal Justice, we met with a total of 177 students! During this time we spoke of the importance of dual-credit courses, college requirements, and the multiple choices in criminal justice careers.

The other part of the time was spent fingerprinting each other. Students were quickly taught the printing techniques, the importance of collecting prints, and then classifying the prints.

This number of students in the sections could not have been such a success if it were not for three student assistants: Isabella "Izzy" Spittler (Hoffman), Katelyn Biegeleisen (Salem), and Adrianna Taft (Oakdale). All three have great leadership skills and were able to tell all the students their direction in and after KC.

Our day was very fulfilling! The photos do not give the "full picture" of the activities on this day.