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Contact
Associate Professor of Practice, Alpha Phi Sigma - UTSA Chapter Advisor
Criminology and Criminal Justice
Welcome back, APS Runners!
On behalf of UTSA’s Alpha Phi Sigma (APS) Criminal Justice National Honor Society, we would like to formally welcome you all back for Fall 2024.
APS is ready to welcome new members throughout the semester. Any interested student meeting the APS membership criteria is eligible to apply for official membership into the national organization. If you do not meet the criteria, you are still able to participate in the organization as a chapter volunteer.
To stay updated with APS events throughout the semester, please follow our Instagram page @utsa_aps.
Every semester, we assist the department in hosting multiple signature events for students. Our “A Roadrunner’s Journey” event brings alumni who work in Criminal Justice careers back to campus to share their stories with our students. We also assist in coordinating a “Career Day” with UTSA’s Career Center in which we invite recruiters from multiple agencies to speak with our students about potential career opportunities in the Criminal Justice field.
We also strive to promote open discussion between students and Criminal Justice professionals. We assist a local community organization “Against All Odds Rise (AAOR)” in building our relationships with local police by hosting an open conversation between officers and students.
In addition to supporting our Criminal Justice students, we also strive to give back to the local community. We look forward to continuing our annual “Blue Santa” toy drive this December, where we collect new, unwrapped toys for children in the local area.
To help APS continue to give back to our campus and community, we sell our Criminal Justice T-Shirts for $20. If you would like to order a shirt, please email APS at utsaaps@gmail.com.
Once again, APS welcomes you and we look forward to another great semester. Go ‘Runners!
Best,
Mary Vallor
2024 President
History
In September, 1941, Dr. Vivian Anderson Leonard was asked by the president of Washington State University if he would accept the directorship of a Police Science Academic Program at Washington State. Dr. Leonard accepted the offer and became responsible for developing a four year curriculum which would lead to a Bachelor’s Degree in Police Administration.
Upon his arrival at Washington State, Dr. Leonard began to realize how important it was that a Police Science Honorary be established. The purpose of this honorary would be to promote excellence in scholarship and performance. In January, 1942, Dr. Leonard met with seventeen Police Science majors at Washington state and Alpha Phi Sigma was established. Glenn Hill was elected as the first president and appointed a committee to draft the first Constitution and By-laws.
During its initial years Alpha Phi Sigma experienced only limited growth, but on March 24, 1976 in Dallas, Texas, the Executive Board of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences voted unanimously to designate Alpha Phi Sigma as the National Criminal Justice Honor Society. At this time, Alpha Phi Sigma had only fourteen chapters; however, since then, Alpha Phi Sigma has continued to grow and prosper at a very rapid rate and there are now over three hundred and sixty Chapters.
Over the years the National Officers have been located at Universities across the country, such as, Washington State University, Midwestern State University, Eastern Kentucky University, Texas Woman’s University, Fairmont State College, Marshall University, Tarleton State University, Florida International University, Boise State University, University of Houston ~ Downtown.
Requirements of Alpha Phi Sigma
Alpha Phi Sigma is the nationally recognized honor society for students in the Criminal Justice sciences. The society recognizes academic excellence by undergraduates as well as graduates of Criminal Justice.
To become a member, the student must have completed one-third of their total hours required for graduation at his/her institution. The student must be recommended, to Nationals, by the chapter advisor.
- Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum of 3.2 overall GPA on a 4.0 scale in Criminal Justice courses. The student must also rank in the top 35% of their classes and have completed a minimum of four courses within the Criminal Justice curriculum. The Honor Society is open to those with a declared Criminal Justice major or minor.
- Graduate students are required to maintain a minimum of a 3.4 GPA in both Criminal Justice courses and overall courses, on a 4.0 scale. Student must have completed a minimum of four courses within the Criminal Justice curriculum.
- Law students enrolled in law school, having completed one academic year, with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, on a 4.0 scale.
Resources
Community
Alpha Phi Sigma participates in Blue Santa Program 
In December of 2022, APS delivered over $600 worth of toys through the generosity of UTSA students, faculty and staff. Toys were delivered to the San Antonio Police Officers Association Blue Santa Program.
Federal Courthouse Naturalization Ceremony 
APS volunteers assisted in setting up and taking down over 150 chairs for two different naturalization ceremonies in October of 2022. Naturalization ceremonies are public events that bring communities, schools, and new citizens together in federal courthouses and other community sites throughout the year.
Volunteers also were able to experience the emotional and proud ceremonies those days.
We also had the opportunity to meet with U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Chestney in her courtroom and she spoke about her experience and her role in the federal system.
A Roadrunner's Journey
Several times per semester, APS invites alumni from the Criminology and Criminal Justice program to discuss their careers and their paths to and from UTSA. Read about past panelists and learn about future events below.
Theta Omicron Chapter
DB 2.212
210-458-3044 voice
210-458-2680 fax
