Dr. Kurt Siedschlaw
308.865.8774
Five outstanding University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates will be the featured speakers at the 16th Annual Criminal Justice Conference Thursday, March 25, in the Ponderosa Room of the Nebraskan Student Union.
“This being the 100th year of UNK, the conference will celebrate the alumni of the criminal justice department,” said Kurt Siedschlaw, UNK associate professor of criminal justice.
Presenters and their topics include:
Sgt. Bethleen Hagemeyer (1979). Sgt. Hagemeyer, the third woman hired by the Nebraska State Patrol, will present “Women in Law Enforcement:: Progression into the 21st Century. She will address issues involving the hiring and training of women in law enforcement, training of female law enforcement officers and current recruitment issues.
Mark Martin (1976). Mark Martin is a consultant specializing in criminal justice planning and training. His expertise is in development and delivery of training programs, facility and system assessment, policy and procedure development, and standards development. He has 26 years experience in adult and juvenile corrections.
Gary Smith (1992). Gary Smith, chief of police for Northfield, Minn., will present “How the Police Interact with the Community: From Dragnet to Reno 911.” He holds a multiple professional memberships and is an assessor with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.
Michelle Muirhead (1989). Michelle Muirhead, a legal analyst and investigator for the Legal Department of Central States Insurance of Omaha, is the current president of the Eastern Nebraska Anti-Fraud Association. She has worked as an investigator and researcher in a variety of capacities. Muirhead started out with an internship at the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Kearney and has obtained a wide variety of certifications and professional memberships.
Heidi Blair-Esteves (1995). Heidi Blair-Esteves of South Sioux City, a researcher and caseworker involved in counseling young adults in the area of education and life skills, holds a master’s degree in government from Harvard University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. She serves as an adjunct faculty member at Wayne State College. She has worked with gang members in the Family and Community Violence Project in Boston.
Dr. James Gilbert, UNK professor of criminal justice, will present at history of the UNK criminal justice department during the luncheon.
For more information about the conference, or to register, individuals can call the Department of Criminal Justice at 308.865.8510. The only cost for the conference is $10 for the luncheon.
Schedule of Events
9-9:15 Conference Welcome
9:15-10:15 “Dragnet to Reno 911: How the Police Interact with the Community,” Chief Gary Smith
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-11:30 “Women in Law Enforcement,” Sgt. Bethleen Hagemeyer
11:45-12:45 Lunch- Dr. James Gilbert, history of the UNK criminal justice department
1-2:15 “Today’s Jail Administrator: A Profession – Not Just a Job,” Mark Martin
2:15-2:30 Break
2:30-3:45 “Benefits and Challenges for Women in Justice Professions”–Heidi Blair-Esteves, Sgt. Bethleen Hagemeyer,
Michelle Muirhead. Moderator: Dr. Beth Wiersma, UNK Department of Criminal Justice
