Criminal justice runs in the family for Casey McCauley.聽
Both of McCauley鈥檚 parents worked in law enforcement, and both went to law school. She has her sights set firmly on the latter.
鈥淚鈥檝e thought about doing something along the lines of the FBI or the CIA or some sort of agent or detective work, but I think I鈥檒l probably end up just sticking through law school and maybe opening my own practice,鈥� McCauley says.
On the road to law school, McCauley says she wanted to stay close to home and study criminal justice at one of the top programs in the country.聽
The Melrose, Massachusetts native found the opportunity to do both at UMass Lowell, where the School of Criminology and Justice Studies is ranked .
As a sophomore criminal justice major with a minor in legal studies, McCauley says she鈥檚 鈥渄efinitely struggling鈥� at times, but adds that the rigorous coursework will help prepare her for her academic future.聽
鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot of work, but I鈥檓 kind of prepping myself in advance by taking harder courses here and finding out who the tougher teachers are,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 think it鈥檒l help me in the long run.鈥�
In the meantime, McCauley is already making an impact on the UMass Lowell community.聽
She joined the Student Government Association (SGA) in the spring of 2022 and now serves on the Academic Affairs Committee. She鈥檚 also a member of the Mock Trial team.
鈥淓veryone on [SGA] is just super caring, and student voices really do need to be heard,鈥� she says.聽 鈥淪tudent Government does a very good job of that.鈥�
McCauley interned at the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board in the summer of 2022. She plans to continue doing public service internships, hoping to work for the Parole Board or State Police Crime Lab this summer.
鈥淚 was able to take what I鈥檝e learned from my legal studies classes and apply it to real-world situations,鈥� McCauley said. 鈥淚 was much more knowledgeable about where I was and what I saw because of my classes.鈥�
McCauley recently received the John M. King Scholarship for Advancement and Education from the Massachusetts Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, as well as an internal scholarship from UMass Lowell. As a result, McCauley says she can continue saving for her future academic endeavors.
鈥淭he more money I can put towards my education now, the more money I can save in the long run for the next five years of my life,鈥� she says. 鈥淗opefully I will go to law school and come out with a lot less debt because of scholarships like this, so I鈥檓 very grateful for it.鈥澛�