Justice in Practice: Criminal Justice Students Bring Learning to Life

Published: February 05, 2026

Author: Liz Dowell

Photo by Dave Bell

Inside Holtwick Hall, yellow tape cordoned off a scene that looked straight out of an actual crime show—but this wasn't television. It was a classroom in motion. Students from Greenville University's Criminal Justice program spent an afternoon processing a mock crime scene, the culmination of ten weeks of methodical training.

“This project gives them a real-life experience of what being examined on a witness stand feels like,” said Assistant Professor Shawn Foles, who leads the course. “Instead of a traditional exam, students will participate in a mock trial where they’re cross-examined on what they did—and didn’t do—at the scene.”

The trial, which serves as the final for the course, is designed to test more than technical skill. Students must demonstrate calm under pressure, precise attention to detail, and the ability to let evidence—not emotion—guide their conclusions.

Over the semester, students have mastered documentation, photography, and sketching techniques. Foles said the experience has helped many clarify their calling within criminal justice. “For several students, it’s solidified that this is the area they want to pursue,” he said. “It’s also made them realize how tedious and disciplined the process can be.”

Photo by Dave Bell

The lesson extends beyond textbooks. "God endows each student with unique abilities," Foles explained. "This experience teaches them to recognize their own strengths and to rely on teammates where others are stronger."

For Greenville University, this kind of immersive learning embodies the school’s mission of helping students feel seen, known, and inspired. Faculty and administrators are invited to observe the mock trial and observe firsthand the professionalism and integrity being cultivated in the program.

“Our students are seen as future professionals applying their skills with honesty and care,” Foles said. “We get to know them through how they conduct themselves under pressure—and they’re inspired to pursue justice rooted in truth.”

Photo by Dave Bell

Preparation for the project wasn’t simple. With help from Residence Life, the department transformed part of Holtwick Hall into a realistic scene, complete with strict cleanup protocols. “We want to be good stewards of the space and return it better than we found it,” Foles said.

In the end, he sees the project as far more than a classroom exercise. “This experience empowers students,” he said. “It humbles them, too. Once they cross that tape, they must put truth first and let the evidence speak for itself. That’s what real justice looks like.”

Photo by Dave Bell