Rowan College Discusses Criminal Justice At Next Town Hall

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — On the same day Rowan College at Burlington County and the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders will host a Facebook Live Town Hall centered on race relations, the college will hold a virtual town hall to discuss its criminal justice program.

Professor of the Year Joseph Rizzo and his student Manhoor Zahid will discuss the program during Rowan College at Burlington County's next Facebook Live Town Hall at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, the college announced Friday morning. Viewers can submit questions throughout the livestream and at rcbc.edu/coronavirus.

Rizzo will discuss working in correctional facilities as both an educator and warden, why he chose to teach at Rowan College at Burlington County, and what sets the college’s program apart from others like it.

“We try to make our program as practical and worldly as we can. It’s important that students see and understand what they’re getting involved in and what they’re working with in this field,” Rizzo said. “They visit halfway houses, policing museums, correctional facilities and are able to meet officers as part of their practical experiences. That’s the benefit of what we do here.”

Zahid, of Pakistani descent, began her college career as a business major but decided she wanted to follow in the footsteps of a law enforcement officer in her family during her first semester.

She is entering her senior year as part of Rowan College at Burlington County and Rowan University’s 3+1 program. She nominated Rizzo for Professor of the Year due to his commitment to his students.

“He teaches in a way that you understand and takes you to places where you gain exposure to this field,” Zahid said.

Rizzo emphasized that it’s important to address topical issues and continue to have important conversations with students.

“I believe there is — in some communities — a distrust of police. We talk a lot about this in our ‘Theories of Crime’ class. When you’re in a disadvantaged neighborhood, the distrust has boiled over for decades. I’m old enough to remember what occurred in the ‘60s with the same issues,” Rizzo said. “Policing has to improve. We try to make sure students understand that these issues need to be addressed.”

The ‘Healing our Communities’ discussion with Criminal Justice Instructor Dr. Amber Ciccanti, Criminal Justice Students Joseph Diaz and Collin Stewart, Burlington County leaders and law enforcement begins at 6 p.m. that night. Read more here: Rowan College To Host Virtual Town Hall On Race Relations