2008 Woodie Awards
Professor Semel actively engages students to keep learning interesting
Lisa Brown
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: Features
Creativity and undeniable passion are evident characteristics regarding widely respected Sacred Heart Criminal Justice professor Matthew D. Semel.
Semel realizes the value and effective nature of making learning fun in order to capture his students' interest.
"His teaching style is never word for word from the text book," said senior Nick Lambusta.
"He teaches through his experiences and knowledge in the criminal justice field, in my view that is the best way to raise educational standards in school."
He uses projects such as mock trials in order to actively engage his students' interests in courtroom scenarios.
"The mock trial taught me what it would be like to be an actual lawyer. After that day, I can without a doubt say it was Semel's class and mock trial that brought the idea of law school to my head," said Lambusta.
Throughout his time at Sacred Heart, he has started two student organizations: the Sacred Heart Chapter of Amnesty International and the Sacred Heart Mock Trial Team.
He has brought three nationally renowned death penalty experts to campus and FBI experts from New Haven offices in hope of opening the opportunity for students to speak with practitioners in the field.
Recently he went on a trip with his students to Osbourne Correctional Facility in Somers.
"I think most of the students' who went found it to be a eye-opening experience," said Semel.
As advisor of the Criminal Justice Club he has built ties with the Public Defender Offices in Bridgeport and Norwalk. This relationship is helpful for students interested in pursuing law school.
"I don't want to let anyone fall through the cracks. The university mission statement is important to me and it informs everything I do at SHU, including how I relate to students," said Semel.
With high priority on student success and experience, Semel has proved himself to be a valued professor here on campus.
Semel realizes the value and effective nature of making learning fun in order to capture his students' interest.
"His teaching style is never word for word from the text book," said senior Nick Lambusta.
"He teaches through his experiences and knowledge in the criminal justice field, in my view that is the best way to raise educational standards in school."
He uses projects such as mock trials in order to actively engage his students' interests in courtroom scenarios.
"The mock trial taught me what it would be like to be an actual lawyer. After that day, I can without a doubt say it was Semel's class and mock trial that brought the idea of law school to my head," said Lambusta.
Throughout his time at Sacred Heart, he has started two student organizations: the Sacred Heart Chapter of Amnesty International and the Sacred Heart Mock Trial Team.
He has brought three nationally renowned death penalty experts to campus and FBI experts from New Haven offices in hope of opening the opportunity for students to speak with practitioners in the field.
Recently he went on a trip with his students to Osbourne Correctional Facility in Somers.
"I think most of the students' who went found it to be a eye-opening experience," said Semel.
As advisor of the Criminal Justice Club he has built ties with the Public Defender Offices in Bridgeport and Norwalk. This relationship is helpful for students interested in pursuing law school.
"I don't want to let anyone fall through the cracks. The university mission statement is important to me and it informs everything I do at SHU, including how I relate to students," said Semel.
With high priority on student success and experience, Semel has proved himself to be a valued professor here on campus.
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