University of Park Hosting Event Emphasizing Women Transforming the Criminal Justice System
On April 5, 2023, Park University is hosting a significant event titled "Women Transforming Criminal Justice." This roundtable discussion, scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon, aims to shed light on the underrepresentation of women in the criminal justice system and foster discussions about legal reform, prevention, and support for affected populations.
The event is open to the public and is sponsored by the University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Department of Criminal Justice Administration. Notable participants include Kaitlynn Donnelly, J.D., an assistant prosecuting attorney in Platte County, Mo., and Anne Precythe, director of the Missouri Department of Corrections.
The key panelists for this event include Hon. Mary F. Weir, Associate Circuit Judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri, known for her impact on criminal justice in the Kansas City area. Judge Weir has been mentioned in related national forums on human trafficking in state courts.
Other panelists include Tiffany Leuty, J.D., 7th District defender for the Missouri State Public Defender; C. Ann Mesle, J.D., retired 16th Circuit Court of Jackson County, Mo., judge and former member of Park University's Board of Trustees; and Carol Getty, Ph.D., professor emerita of criminal justice administration at Park University and former chair of the U.S. Parole Commission.
The roundtable also features Sgt. Bobbie King, administration bureau operations of the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department; Sgt. Savana Watkins, a member of the Missouri Department of Corrections and a Park University junior majoring in criminal justice administration/corrections; Sandy Karsten, director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety; and Maj. Kari Thompson, commander of the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department's Community Engagement Division.
Zim Schwartze, chief of the Missouri Capitol Police, and Regina Funk, treatment court manager for the 7th Judicial Circuit Court in Clay County, Mo., are also participating in the discussion.
The program will explore cultural strongholds that predict and dictate career and academic paths for women, and the last hour of the roundtable will provide attendees with the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists. The event will take place at Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel on the Parkville Campus, and it hopes to strengthen research that demonstrates the importance of improving the representation of women in the criminal justice field. The event will culminate in celebrating the panel of accomplished women and unlocking the secrets to their success.
- This event, focusing on women transforming criminal justice, aligns with the broader theme of women's health and wellness, as it seeks to address gender inequality in the criminal justice system.
- Moving beyond just criminal justice, attendees will also have an opportunity to learn from accomplished women in various industries, such as education and self-development, with professors like Carol Getty and Kaitlynn Donnelly, J.D. participating.
- Furthermore, the program will touch upon finance and business aspects, as it discusses career paths and opportunities for women in the criminal justice field, encouraging more women to pursue careers in this sector.
