Hannah Gawlick '25 M'26 | Psychology Major | Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Take advantage of the amazing connections Saint Anselm and the Criminal Justice Department have to offer!
As a psychology undergrad, Hannah was drawn to the graduate program to explore the intersection of psychology and the justice system. Through rigorous coursework and hands-on experience interning with the Manchester Police Athletic League (MPAL), Hannah has gained a deeper understanding of how research, intervention, and community support can make a different in the lives of at-risk youth.
How did you hear about the graduate program?
After I declared my double major, the graduate program was a topic that came up amongst my discussions with Professor Peter Cordella and Professor Kaitlyn Clarke. It seemed like a great, affordable option to pursue an advanced degree within a department I was already familiar with.
What has been your favorite graduate course thus far? Why?
As someone who is deeply interested in the intersection of psychology and the justice system, one of my favorite classes was called “Criminal Minds,” taught by Professor Clarke. We really dug into the psychology of deviant behavior, and she encouraged us to analyze these behaviors in a different light. We covered topics like the Warrior Gene, developmental theories, psychopathy, and more! This class and many others that are a part of the program gave me the opportunity to apply my bachelor’s degree in psychology and see just how much a person’s mental wellbeing actively and passively affects different areas of the justice system.
Where do you hope this degree will take you next?
I am hoping to spend some time doing research, which will benefit my applications to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Ideally, I would like to concentrate in Forensic Psychology and support youth involved in the justice system through assessment, treatment, and intervention.
What advice would you give to prospective graduate students?
Take advantage of the amazing connections Saint Anselm and the Criminal Justice Department have to offer! Sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone to do something as simple as introducing yourself can make a world of a difference. I always tell people, you never know who other people know. The Saint Anselm network is so much bigger than I had imagined when I first came here, and I have gained many connections and benefited from countless opportunities that all stemmed from starting a conversation with someone.
You interned at MPAL this past summer. Can you tell me about your experience there? What sort of things did you do and learn there?
This past summer I interned at Manchester Police Athletic League (MPAL) and helped facilitate almost all the free summer programming provided to youth in the Downtown Manchester area. Working with children and adolescents in my future career is something I have always been sure of, so seeing how many ways there are to support at-risk youth was very special and inspiring to me. As a part of my internship, I also shadowed intakes, check-ins, and community panels for the juvenile court diversion program. After the summer, I was offered a position to continue being a part of the program by conducting these intakes myself. I have learned so much from meeting with youth and their families, getting to know them over the three-month program, and hearing their stories. Giving these kids a second chance to learn from their mistakes while building healthy habits is a great opportunity from all sides. It has been wonderful seeing the positive impact that MPAL programming and other resources have on these kids.
What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned thus far in your courses?
I really enjoyed learning about some of the intricacies of the courts system in a few of my classes. In my Law and Justice Seminar with Professor Liana Pennington, we delved into a lot of different topics and issues that affect how justice is achieved and sometimes how it isn’t! I found it to be very interesting since we, as a society, otherwise have a very idealized perspective of our justice system, although it’s not so straightforward in reality. It was also awesome to see how these topics overlapped in some of my other classes, such as Administration of Justice with Professor Clarke. It really made me feel like I was gaining a thorough understanding of what works and what doesn’t throughout the system.