Skip to main content

Apply now! Spring priority deadline is October 1.

Our Advisory Board brings together distinguished leaders from across the criminal justice system. Members include professionals with extensive experience in policing, corrections, courts, community organizations, and related fields—many of whom are proud Metro State alumni.

The Board plays a crucial role in shaping the school's direction. By drawing on their expertise, board members help ensure that our curriculum stays current, evidence-based, and responsive to the rapidly evolving landscape of criminology and criminal justice.

Board members advise on curriculum development, program evaluation, and the identification of emerging issues in the field. They also strengthen the bridge between classroom learning and professional practice—facilitating internships, mentoring, and networking opportunities that prepare our students for meaningful careers.

At the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, our mission is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and connections necessary to succeed in their careers. The Advisory Board’s guidance, industry insight, and community partnerships are central to this mission. We are honored to collaborate with them in preparing the next generation of leaders in criminal justice.

Board Members:

  • Steve Blanding, U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services
  • John Choi, Ramsey County Attorney’s Office
  • Alfreda Daniels, Minneapolis Regional Labor Foundation
  • Andrew Evans, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
  • Brian Hansen, U.S. Air Force
  • Sierra Leone Samuels, Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation
  • Yolanda Wilks, Minneapolis Police Department
  • Jocelyn Worden, Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation
  • Sean Zauhar, Apple Valley Police Department