WSU, U.S. Attorney's Office team up for new classes

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:06:30 CST

New classes are being planned for Wichita State University that will introduce students to the real world of federal law enforcement in Kansas. The School of Community Affairs at WSU is partnering with U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren's office to present the 2008 U.S. Attorney's Citizens Academy.

The Citizens Academy will meet from 1:30-4:30 p.m. in six sessions on Mondays: March 31, April 7, April 14, April 21, April 28 and May 5, at WSU.

Classes will be taught by prosecutors, Wichita State professors and investigators from the FBI, the DEA, ATF and other federal agencies.

"Our instructors (are) … the real thing," Melgren said. "They're sensible, shrewd and tough investigators."

During six, three-hour sessions, academy members will cover topics that make headlines every day in Kansas and across the nation, including:

– Terrorism

– Gangs and violence

– Illegal immigration

– Drug trafficking

– White collar crime, identity theft and health care fraud

– Crimes against children, child pornography and sexual predators

Michael Birzer

"The School of Community Affairs at Wichita State University is pleased to co-sponsor the 2nd annual United States Attorney's Citizens Academy," said Michael Birzer, director of the school. "The academy offers citizens an opportunity to broaden their knowledge of the federal criminal justice system and also nurtures a basic sense of citizenship. An added benefit of attending the academy is that it affords participants an opportunity to meet practicing federal criminal justice professionals as well as professors from the School of Community Affairs who study crime and the criminal justice system for a living."

About two dozen people will be selected for the class. Applications are available by calling Jim Cross, public information officer for the U.S. Attorney's Office, at (316) 269-6481 or online at www.usdoj.gov/usao/ks.

There is no cost for the class, but participants must certify that they will be available at the designated times and will attend all classes. All applicants must include a brief statement of why they want to join the Citizens Academy. The deadline for applying is March 10. Successful applicants will be notified the week of March 24.

Applications may be mailed to the attention of Jim Cross at U.S. Attorney's Citizens Academy, 1200 Epic Center, 301 N. Main, Wichita, KS 67202.

Noncredit courses offered to the public at WSU

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:45:31 CST

Starting spring 2008, the Wichita State University Office of Continuing Education will offer new courses to the general public.

WSU has created a range of noncredit, continuing education classes for the spring semester that allow people to learn a variety of topics in a nontraditional classroom setting.

The classes are offered with no academic credit and include no tests or homework. Most are weekly two-hour sessions and last six to 12 weeks. Some short-term classes are also offered.

University professors and community experts will teach the classes, which are being held at WSU's Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex and the main, south and west WSU campuses. Online classes are also being offered.

Classes range from literature, computers and foreign languages to money, sports and youth summer camps. Students can learn anything from basic Internet skills to wine tasting and enjoyment.

Costs range from free to $158 per person. Enrollment is open.

For more information, go to www.webs.wichita.edu/continuinged or call (316) 978-3731.

Wichita State News: Nondegree

WSU, U.S. Attorney's Office team up for new classes

Noncredit courses offered to the public at WSU