Student Awards

The Department of Criminology and Justice Studies is very proud to announce several student awards for the 2025-2026 academic year. Our department is grateful to those who donate so generously to these various awards, and we would not be able to do this without their support.

  • Please review the various award requirements below to see which one(s) you may qualify for. Students are encouraged to apply for each of the awards for which they are eligible.
  • Applications must be submitted online via the appropriate link. The deadline for submission is Friday, February 20, 2026.

For questions about any of the awards or application process, please email Dr. Glidden at marc.glidden@csun.edu

Nick Zingo Memorial Award

This award of $1,000 is intended to support a criminology and justice studies major who is in good academic standing with the university, who can demonstrate a desire to succeed in the field of criminology and justice studies, and who has an interest in a career in public service.

Requirements:

  • Applicant’s CSUN GPA must be 3.0 or higher
  • Applicant must be a sophomore, junior, or senior as of Spring 2026 and enrolled as a major in the Department of Criminology and Justice studies
  • Applicants should be interested in a career in public service

Mary Riggs Memorial Award

This award is intended to recognize and support a Criminology and Justice Studies major who demonstrates a commitment to inclusion, equity, and justice, values than that align with both Mary Rigg's work as an educator and the core mission of CJS.

**Two awards available for the 2025-2026 academic year.**

Requirements:

  • Applicant's CSUN GPA must 3.0 or higher
  • Applicant must be a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior as of Spring 2026 and enrolled as a major in the Department of Criminology and Justice Studies
  • Applicant should be able to demonstrate a commitment to inclusion, equity, and justice

Community College Transfer Award

This award of $500 is intended to support a criminology and justice studies major who is in good academic standing with the university, who can demonstrate a desire to succeed in the field of criminology and justice studies, and who has transferred from a California Community College.

**Two awards are available for the 2025-2026 academic year.**

Requirements:

  • Applicant’s CSUN GPA must be 3.0 or higher
  • Applicant must be a transfer student from a California Community College with 60 completed units from a community college and enrolled as a Criminology and Justice Studies major

Emily Fox Memorial Award for Outstanding Work in Intimate Partner Violence

This award of $500 is intended to recognize a student who has done outstanding work in the pursuit of helping victims of intimate partner violence.

Requirements:

  • Applicant must be a sophomore, junior, or senior as of Spring 2026 and enrolled as a major in the Department of Criminology and Justice Studies
  • Applicant’s overall GPA must be 3.0 or higher
  • Applicant should have experience with or be interested in working with victims of intimate partner violence

Fred Mesropi Memorial Award

This award of $500 is intended to support a criminology and justice studies major who is in good academic standing with the university and who has demonstrated a commitment to and interest in pursuing law as a career.

Requirements:

  • Applicant’s CSUN GPA must be 3.0 or higher
  • Applicant must be a sophomore, junior, or senior as of Spring 2026 and enrolled as a major in the Department of Criminology and Justice Studies
  • Applicants should be interested in a career in law

Lori Anderson Memorial Award

This award of $500 is intended to support an outstanding Criminology and Justice Studies or Sociology Option 2 student who wishes to pursue a career in law enforcement.

Requirements:

  • Applicant’s overall GPA must be 3.0 or higher
  • Applicant must be a junior or senior as of Spring 2026
  • Applicant must be a Criminology and Justice Studies major or Sociology Option 2 major 

Svonkin Family Award

This award of $1,000 is intended to support a criminology and justice studies major who is in good academic standing with the university, who can demonstrate a desire to succeed in the field of criminology and justice studies, and who is seeking a career in public service.

Requirements:

  • Applicant’s CSUN GPA must be 3.0 or higher
  • Applicant must be a graduate of a LA or Pasadena Community College
  • Applicants must be a junior or senior as of Spring 2026 and enrolled as a major in the Department of Criminology and Justice Studies
  • Applicants shall demonstrate their interest in pursuing a career in public service

First Year Foundations Award

This $500 award is intended to support and encourage a first-year criminology and justice studies major as they begin their academic journey at CSUN. The award winner will be selected at random from eligible students who submit an application

Requirements:

  • Applicant's CSUN GPA must be 2.5 or higher
  • Applicant must be a first-year student who began at CSUN during the 2025-2026 academic year
  • Applicant must be enrolled as a major in the Department of Criminology and Justice Studies

Sophomore Resilience Award

This $500 award is intended to recognize and support a second-year (31-59 units) criminology and justice studies major who has demonstrated resilience, perseverance, and personal growth while overcoming challenges during their time at CSUN

Requirements:

  • Applicant's CSUN GPA must be 2.5 or higher
  • Applicant must be a sophomore (second-year student with 31-59 units) at CSUN as of Spring 2026
  • Applicant must be enrolled as a major in the Department of Criminology and Justice Studies
  • Applicant should be able to demonstrate experiences of overcoming academic, personal, financial, or other significant challenges during their time at CSUN

 

Commitment to Completion Award

This $1000 award is intended to support a criminology and justice studies major who demonstrates a strong commitment to completing their degree while balancing significant responsibilities such as employment, caregiving, financial hardship, or unpaid professional experiences (e.g., internship, research, community service). The award recognizes persistence, responsible decision-making, and dedication to academic and professional growth.

Requirements:

  • Applicant's CSUN GPA must be 2.5 or higher
  • Applicant must be a major in the Department of Criminology and Justice Studies and returning to CSUN in Fall 2026 (Fall 2025/Spring 2026/Summer 2026 graduates are excluded from this award)
  • Applicant shall demonstrate their interest in pursuing a career in public service
  • Applicant must demonstrate significant external responsibilities (e.g., working, supporting family members, unpaid internships, or other substantial obligations)