Ivy Tech Community College Lafayette hosted more than 230 high school students from across the region for its annual Criminal Justice Day, a hands-on event designed to showcase career pathways in law enforcement, corrections, and related fields.  The immersive event gave students a rare chance to step into the shoes of criminal justice professionals through hands-on demonstrations, real-world equipment, and direct interaction with local, state, and federal agencies.

The day kicked off with a welcome from Dr. David Ely, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and a keynote address from Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski, who drew from his background as a former police officer. He encouraged students to consider careers in public service and highlighted the impact of building trust within communities.

Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to:

  • Participate in CSI-style lab demonstrations
  • Observe drone flights from the West Lafayette Police Department
  • Watch K-9 demonstrations
  • Tour the Indiana State Police Mobile Forensic Unit
  • Explore displays and interact with representatives from more than a dozen local, state, and federal criminal justice agencies and college transfer partners

Beyond the interactive activities, Ivy Tech honored its Criminal Justice Scholarship award winners, underscoring the College’s commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders in law enforcement, corrections, and social service.

Criminal Justice Day is an incredible opportunity for students to see what it’s like to work in the field and to connect directly with professionals who serve our communities every day. We are proud to host this event and help students envision their future careers.

– John Roach, Department Chair, Criminal Justice and Legal-Paralegal Studies

The event was free and open to the public, with students attending from schools across the nine-county Ivy Tech Lafayette service area. For more information about Ivy Tech’s Criminal Justice program, visit ivytech.edu/criminaljustice.

About Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.