ST. GEORGE — Dixie State University’s Criminal Justice Department is making plans to expand its study abroad program and potentially offer a student exchange experience in coming years in partnership with Beijing University of Technology in China.
Assistant professor of Criminal Justice, Dr. Lish Harris, recently traveled to Beijing after receiving an invitation from one of Beijing Tech’s faculty members who presented to DSU students and faculty a year-and-a-half ago. Harris went in an effort to solidify a growing relationship with the university and presented his research to both students and faculty.
“I think having an international presence is an important step for Dixie State as it moves from university status to university stature,” Harris said. “This seems to be one of the key pillars in building a recognizable university that has a wider impact than just the area you live in.”
Harris is currently working toward partnering Beijing Tech’s Law and Sociology programs with DSU’s Criminology program to make a study abroad program possible in Beijing in the next few years. The eventual goal is to implement a semester-long student exchange program from which both universities can mutually benefit.
“An exchange program like this would give their students a chance to see our justice system and give our students a chance to see theirs,” Harris said. “Some of our students are interested in highly competitive federal positions and this would be a great opportunity for them to gain experience on a global level.”
Dixie State University’s Criminal Justice program offers two unique emphases: Criminology and Digital Forensics. DSU is the only university in Utah currently offering a four-year degree in these emphases.
For more information about DSU’s Criminal Justice program, visit the Web page.
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