Kay Hintze

Coming to NMU was a decision my high school self-made based on purely criminal justice interests. Upon investigation, Northern offered more attractive coursework, faculty, and resources for students than most other criminal justice programs around Michigan on top of the innate benefits of the NMU campus. Compared to the usual schools most seniors went to from my high school, Northern offered a unique and independent way of college life. Even without touring, I just knew Northern was the place for me.
 

I came to Northern to pursue Criminal Justice, a passion of mine from an early age. Growing up in Metro Detroit helped refine my innate sense to help people. Seeing the good and bad of society in my environment steered me into a career path intended to help others. Upon reflection, I realized my calling was to aid those in the justice system. My goal is to understand criminal behaviors to help those in their betterment and unravel criminological trends. After only being enrolled in classes for a semester, I knew this was the university for me leading me to upgrade my psychology minor to a double major after witnessing the incredible psychological science department. Both of the departments I belong to have become a place of stability, guidance, and genuine enjoyment. The faculty I have interacted with care about each student and take their work seriously, always providing their best. By accomplishing a double major in criminal justice and psychology, the dual-edged education will help to give me an advantage later on in my ideal profession as a licensed clinical forensic psychologist. After attaining this profession, I hope to join an agency or government that will allow me to do a variety of work to engage with a wide range of people and communities. After graduation in the Spring of 2025, I intend to pursue a doctorate program to pursue education in clinical psychology. I would follow a traditional clinical tract with added aspects of criminology and forensics embedded within the curriculum and faculty.
 

As a psychology major, I got accepted into NMU's competitive Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program for the 2024-25 academic year. I will complete a study with the Toegel Laboratories' Northern Center for Learning and Health (NCLH) joined with Johns Hopkins University. This fellowship will allow me to continue with my passion for research and helping others while getting paid for my work. I will evaluate post-intervention outcomes for a therapeutic workplace intervention for adults experiencing homelessness with alcohol use disorder. The responsibilities tied to my proposal will set me up for success in my future, as well as bettering others' futures.

As a criminal justice major, I made it through another competitive process to be allowed enrollment in Northern’s Cold Case Homicide Seminar. This course has students working directly with the Michigan State Police detectives in cold case homicide investigations. It is a very hands-on application of methods and procedures of forensic, investigative, and specialized skills found in law enforcement agencies. Additionally, through several classes the department offers, I have witnessed court trials, covert footage, and tours of local criminal justice-related facilities. The major is associated with the Criminal Justice system where I have not only connected with officers of multiple disciplines but provided security for numerous events in Marquette, an uncommon experience as a student.

On campus I am involved in Northern's Chapter of the Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology, the Student Psychological Association, the Preclinical Psychology Club, and the Criminal Justice Association. I joined these groups to gain experiences and opportunities through networking opportunities, events, volunteering, organization, and current information about the respective fields. Student organizations also offer roles of leadership that give you an insider look into the behind-the-scenes of academic groups and departments. I am the Social Media Manager for Psi Chi, Committee Chair in SPA, as well as the upcoming Vice President for CJA next year, and plan to participate in more challenging roles in their governments for next year. Student organizations are really special, and you make tons of friends too.
Off-campus, I love exploring the Upper Peninsula and making memorable experiences. I will say that the further you get out of your comfort zone, the more you grow as a person. Growing up in Metro Detroit, there’s not much wilderness in the area, so moving up here was exciting as I love the outdoors. Since being here, I’ve come to love jumping off Black Rocks, hiking local trails, hammocking between the pines, and uncovering Keweenaw’s secrets. One of my favorite memories was hiking up Sugarloaf… on a snow day. My friends and I were laughing and sliding down the mountain in pitch black, creating both bruises and memories. Wetmore is also a favorite with its beautiful beach for year-round swimming, and winter Northern Lights watching. The Keweenaw Peninsula is another treasure of the Upper Peninsula with its uncounted beauty. Its hidden gems are one of a kind from mines, monk-made jams, and gorgeous beaches.

Taking the title of an NMU Wildcat means fostering a connection to the people and the nature around you. Having a relationship with both aspects of Marquette’s area is perfect for creating a balance in your life as a Wildcat.
 

I found my sense of belonging in academics and student organizations. Meeting new people is no challenge here at Northern. I am still friends with people I met at my Summer Orientation and even those I met on the first day of class freshman year two years ago. The class sizes are small, so you often have the same people around you for several semesters allowing you to foster a connection easily. Your cohort often becomes your friend group as well as those in your student orgs., sports, and jobs which I highly recommend indulging in. Through that have met individuals who’ve become as close as family to me. From those my age to professors, I have countless friendships made possible through Northern. Our campus makes it hard not to feel connected and supported. The proximity of everyone makes us a tight-knit group of people in and out of class. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I feel very accepted here and have enhanced that with Northern’s Queers and Allies student organization. Expressing your true self in a new environment helps diversify Northern’s culture and gives way to events and traditions for years to come.
 

To keep it simple, be open to new experiences. Unfamiliar becomes comfortable all too soon and you might end up doing things you would not expect on a routine basis. From my experience, I’ve never been one for taking risks, but jumping off Black Rocks in the summer and plunging into freezing Superior in the winter have become activities I enjoy and make sure to fit into my schedule. Cherish everything, it goes by faster than you think.
 

Northern changes you for the better. Since coming here, I have redefined my life aspirations and feel confident about the next stages of my life, especially when it comes to graduate school. Having a stronger belief in my future has allowed me to open up and learn more about myself as an individual.