Tell us about yourself and why you chose to study Criminal Justice and Public Policy at the University of Guelph?
My name is Olivia Ho and I am a recent graduate of the Criminal Justice and Public Policy (CJPP) program at the University of Guelph. Having a father in policing meant I grew up aware of and deeply interested in the justice system. I have always loved hearing about my father’s career as a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer, from his time in general duty, to plain clothes and undercover operations, and testifying in court.
This deep interest in the justice system ultimately led to choosing to study CJPP at the University of Guelph. What stood out to me the most about this program was its interdisciplinary nature rooted in both sociology and political science. Not only would I have the opportunity to learn about the policy that shapes our criminal system and broader legal arena, I would also be able to learn about how these structures influence individuals and communities within our society.
What did you like most about your program? Is there anything in particular about the courses or professors that stands out to you?
The most rewarding part about the CJPP program was the opportunities for experiential learning. Not only did learning in the classroom encourage us to engage critically with conceptions of justice and the law, but there were also countless opportunities to meet and hear from leading practitioners and experts in the legal system and criminal justice arena.
The first program event I ever attended in university was CJPP’s Wrongful Conviction Day in my first year, where Maria Shepherd shared her lived experience of being exonerated for the wrongful conviction of the death of her stepdaughter. There is an analogy that a miscarriage of justice is a perfect storm, a product of the amalgamation of tremendous error by individuals at every step of the process. Maria’s story was the first time I felt truly aware of the power of the criminal justice system, and this was continuously reinforced throughout the courses I took.
In my fourth year, I had the privilege to meet and interview the honourable Justice Malcolm Rowe of the Supreme Court of Canada, who was visiting campus for a lecture hosted by the Department of Political Science and the Runnymede Society. Justice Rowe had nothing but positive things to say about the Guelph school of thought being produced by our faculty; to be able to learn every day from scholars being praised by a judge of Canada’s highest court is nothing short of awesome.
Can you tell us a bit about your current role?
I currently work as a Social Media Assistant at the University of Guelph, supporting the Marketing and Communications team within the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences Dean’s Office. In this role, I create and manage digital content for the Department of Political Science and the Criminal Justice & Public Policy program on Instagram. As a CJPP student with a minor in Political Science, it has been incredibly rewarding to help showcase the outstanding events, opportunities, and people behind the scenes that make these programs, which I have learned so much from, so exceptional.
In addition, I have been supporting the Femicide Data Collection Global Map and Database, which is joint research project between the Femicide Watch Platform, the University of Guelph’s Dr Myrna Dawson, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
How did your degree and time at the University of Guelph help get you to where you are today? How do the skills and education you gained help with your current work?
The University of Guelph gave me the space to grow, to be challenged, and to develop a more enriched understanding of the legal system, policy, and society, which has prepared me to enter the next chapter in my legal journey at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law, where I will be pursuing my Juris Doctor this fall.
Beyond academics, the leadership opportunities I stepped into at U of G prepared me with soft skills that will be of utmost value at law school.
Serving as the President of the Criminal Justice and Public Policy Student Society and leading a team of ten executives to represent our student body of over 1,400 undergrad students taught me so much about inclusive leadership, teamwork, and collaborative communication. From throwing our annual program banquet, to assisting the faculty with program events, learning to work with people and give back to the program that gave me so much has been very rewarding.
What advice would you give someone considering Criminal Justice and Public Policy or applying to the University of Guelph?
Don’t be scared to put yourself out there and get involved! I have met some of the best people through joining clubs, attending campus events, and getting to know the people who make our program run. What's so amazing about attending these events is you get to make connections with your classmates, or professors, or practitioners working in a role that you are interested in. And what is so great about CJPP alumni is they are always willing to chat, to provide advice, and to lend their time to coming back to campus and inspiring the next generation.
I am so grateful for the sheer number of mentors I gained from networking on campus, as they have all gave me their own unique advice that has guided me and helped me figure out what next steps to take. I really think learning from others' experiences is always insightful, and that's what makes CJPP alumni so amazing; they are always down to share with current students.