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Fraternities
Lambda Alpha Epsilon
American Criminal Justice Association
ACJA-LAE Objectives
To improve criminal justice through educational activities
To foster professionalism in law enforcement personnel and agencies
To promote professionalism, academic, and public awareness of criminal justice issues
To encourage the establishment and expansion of higher education and professional training in criminal justice
To provide a unified voice for professionals in, and students of, criminal justice
To promote high standards of ethical conduct, professional training, and higher education within the field of criminal justice
Membership Entitlements
As a member of the American Criminal Justice Association-Lambda Alpha Epsilon, you are entitled to certain benefits. The Entitlements the Association offers are granted to each individual member or earned through competitive activities. These eititlements include:
General Membership
Upon acceptance into ACJA-LAE, members receive: Membership Certificate - that is frameable and printed on parchment paper. It contains the member's name; the Association's logo and seal; the date of acceptance; and the approval of acceptance by the signatures of the National President and the Executive Secretary; Membership Card - that identifies them as a member of ACJA-LAE. After inital acceptance, the card is issued annually upon renewal of Association membership; Membership Pin - a gold organizational identification pin that is a facsimile of the ACJA-LAE logo. To be worn with pride; National Journals and Newsletters - distributed to each active member. The publications contain articles and manuscripts related to the criminal justice field; synopses of released publications in the criminal justice field; Association activities at the National, Regional, and Chapter levels, and accomplishments and news of individual members.
Scholarship Opportunities
A competitive program, which makes annual monetary scholarship, awards to undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in a course of study in the criminal justice field. Three categories of awards have been established to include a Graduate Division, an Upper Division, and Lower Division. The winners of the Scholarship competition are selected by the Scholarship Committee. Annual awards are announced at the National Conference of the Association held each year.
Student Paper Competition
Any student member is eligible to compete who is enrolled in an academic program. Three categories of awards have been established to include a Graduate Division, an Upper Division, and a Lower Division. All entries must be original papers dealing with issues and problems in the areas of criminology, law enforcement, juvenile justice, courts, corrections, prevention, planning and evaluation, and career development and education in the field of criminal justice. The deadline for Student Paper Competition application and papers is January the 31st of each year. Awards are announced at the National Conference held each year.
National Conferences
Once a year, a weeklong national conference is held comprised of workshops, seminars, written, practical, and physical competitive events. Five written competitions include criminal law, police management and operation, juvenile justice, corrections and an LAE knowledge exam. A crime scene investigation is held as well as a pistol competition for individuals and teams. A physical agility competition is also offered. The National Conference is held in a different city each year and is structured around a specific theme chosen by the board of directors. A national business meeting is held as well as banquets with guest speakers. A closing banquet is scheduled at each National Conference and trophies are awarded to the winners who competed throughout the week.
Regional Conferences
Every fall, a mini-conference is held in each of our six regions. The conference usually lasts 2-3 days and consists of competitions, seminars, workshops and regional business meetings. A closing banquet is scheduled at the end of the conference and trophies are awarded to the winners who competed throughout the week.
Community Service
As a member of LAE, you will have the opportunity volunteer your time in the communities of San Marcos, Buda, Kyle, San Antonio, and Austin. We work with other non-profit organizations to raise funds for the less fortunate families, individuals, and animals in our greater area. We participate in habitat for humanity and bobcat build, as well as organize our own exclusive opportunities such as food drives and mentoring programs with local schools.
If you have a sincere interest in promoting professionalism in the criminal justice field, you are cordially invited to express this interest, enrich your own professional life, and expand your horizons through membership in the American Criminal Justice Association - Lambda Alpha Epsilon.
For information regarding membership, please contact the pledge educators or president. Please keep in mind that our officers are full time students; if you are having trouble contacting someone, feel free to contact the offices of vice president, secretary or treasurer.
Ashley Bernardo- President 401-829-6140 ab1451@txstate.edu
Danny Alvarez- Vice President 956-266-5746 la1109@txstate.edu
Ray Ramos- Secretary 254-227-0787 rr1183@txstate.edu
Eric Jones- Treasurer 210-289-8910 ej1036@txstate.edu
Jared Kelley- Pledge Educator 521-658-5317 jk1171@txstate.edu
Amanda Mendoza- Pledge Educator 281-750-6334 am1548@txstate.edu
Alicia Riley SGT. At Arms 512-293-2229 ar1410@txstate.edu