Criminal Justice Graduate Students
Astrid Anaya
Astrid Anaya received her Bachelor's degree in criminal justice with a minor in psychology in the spring of 2017 at the University of Nevada, Reno. She comes from a poor family background but never used this as an excuse to not succeed in life. On the contrary, Astrid was always motivated to become a better person. She had to work at a very young age in order to help support her family. This led her to set her personal goals on hold. But after raising three wonderful children, Astrid decided to pursue a career. She believes it is never too late to start pursuing your passion. One of the proudest moments in her life was when she and her son graduated from the University together.
Astrid is fascinated with the development and consequences of crime and exploring how crime affects society. She is particularly interested in understanding juvenile crime, the types of crimes they commit and how they are influenced by cognitive, social and community conditions. She is also interested in government policies on juvenile delinquency and the tension between rehabilitation and punishment. Astrid currently works with juveniles and wants to acquire more knowledge in order to contribute in making a difference in their lives.
Kim Bradshaw
Kim Bradshaw is a graduate student in the criminal justice master's program at the University of Nevada, Reno. Kim obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada, Reno and has returned to school after a nearly 23-year career in local law enforcement. Kim’s primary educational focus areas are child maltreatment, sexually-based criminal offenses, CJ personnel well-being and evidence-based policing. Kim has two college-aged sons and enjoys traveling, scuba diving, fitness activities and hiking with her dog, Weasley.
Mary Dhondt
Mary Dhondt is a graduate student in the criminal justice department at the University of Nevada, Reno. She received Bachelor’s degrees in criminology and political science at the University of Iowa in May 2019, where she was also involved with the Hawkeye Marching Band and the Center for the Study of Group Processes. Mary has a younger sister and older brother, and is originally from Williamsburg, Iowa. In her free time, Mary enjoys traveling and seeing live music with her family and friends.
Her interests within criminal justice include jail alternative programs and community based prevention, juvenile justice and delinquency, and studies on group processes. Mary is currently a teaching assistant with the criminal justice department and also works with the Super Readers are Super Heroes Literacy Program.
Brielle Jackson
Brielle Jackson is graduate student enrolled in the criminal justice master’s program at the University of Nevada, Reno. They received their Bachelor’s of Art in psychology from Roger Williams University in May of 2018, where they also minored in criminal justice and Spanish. During their time as an undergraduate, Brielle found their love for both research and the intersections between psychology and law. Some of Brielle’s past research experience includes the impact of discrimination, social support and resilience on LGB individuals and assessing police questioning tactics and suspect information outcomes in various law enforcement interrogations. It was also during their undergraduate career where Brielle found their passion for activism and critical social justice, participating in a variety of student-driven causes for minoritized student rights on their campus.
Brielle’s research interests include legal decision-making and bias, interrogation and confessions, and the relationship between theory, research and policy. Their ultimate goal is to get their doctorate and continue engaging in meaningful research, training both future psychologists and legal practitioners to create more impactful and helpful policies through a critical social justice lens.
Outside of academics and activism, Brielle enjoys dogs, reading, writing, drawing, going to the gym, playing video games and spending time with their friends and family back in their home state of Massachusetts.
Sierra Leonard
Sierra Leonard is a graduate student in the criminal justice department at the University of Nevada, Reno. She received her Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in military science in the spring of 2017 at the University of Nevada, Reno. She commissioned as an Aeromedical Evacuation Officer in the Nevada Army National Guard in 2017. Her interests include flying helicopters and enjoying the outdoors. Sierra’s criminal justice interests include the death penalty, child abductions and juvenile detention.
Marisol Lizaola
Marisol Lizaola is a graduate student in the criminal justice program at the University of Nevada, Reno. She received her Bachelor's degree in criminal justice with a minor in psychology in the spring of 2019 at the University of Nevada, Reno. She is a first-generation college graduate. Marisol is originally from South Lake Tahoe, California. Marisol’s interests include juveniles, law enforcement and policing practices. Her interests outside of academic topics include working out, sports and spending time with her family.
Nick Pratt
Nick Pratt is a graduate student in the criminal justice program at the University of Nevada, Reno. He received his Bachelor's degree in criminal justice law emphasis from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2017. He also spent a semester in Madrid, Spain and received a minor in Spanish. Nick's interests include juvenile justice, criminological theory and policing. Nick was born and raised in Northern California. He enjoys anything outdoors and is particularly fond of athletics such as basketball.
Joseph Rinaldi
Joseph Rinaldi is a graduate student in the criminal justice program at the University of Nevada, Reno. Joseph received his Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Nevada, Reno in the spring of 2018. As an undergraduate, Joseph served as a student director for ASUN Campus Escort and interned with the Reno Police Department’s Crime Analysis Unit. Joseph’s main academic interest is law enforcement, more specifically use of force and administration. He is currently a teaching assistant for the Criminal Justice Department and will pursue a career in law enforcement following the completion of his Master’s degree.
Tatiana Tsaniff
Tatiana Tsaniff is a graduate student in the criminal justice program and the business administration program at the University of Nevada, Reno. She received her Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, with minors in psychology and addiction treatment services in the spring of 2018 from the University of Nevada, Reno. She has an overall passion for the criminal justice field with a focus in administration. Her end goal is to gain the knowledge and skillset to work on the administration side of law enforcement. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, hiking and spending as much time as possible with her dog.
Alicia Ward
Alicia Ward is a graduate student in the criminal justice department at the University of Nevada, Reno. She graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She was born in California originally, but moved to Nevada at a young age. Her interests in the field include corrections and community policing. She enjoys reading and listening to music in her free time.
Brooke Westlake
Brooke Morgan Westlake is a graduate student in the criminal justice program at the University of Nevada, Reno. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno in criminal justice. Brooke is also a former Miss America contestant where she held the title of Miss University of Nevada, Reno 2005. She is a first generation college graduate and graduate student. Her professional working career includes 20 years within the private and public healthcare sector. Her husband is also a University of Nevada, Reno graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. He also holds public office. They have two sons. Brooke’s passions include real estate and advocacy for elderly with Alzheimer’s. She enjoys going to Lake Tahoe and traveling with her family. She is looking forward to starting her own laboratory company within the next year.