FRANKE HONORS STUDENT SPOTLIGHT - CHRISTINA CALDEN

Name: Christina Calden

Majors: Dance and Criminal Justice

Minor: Pre-Law

Year in school: Junior

Hometown: Silverdale, Washington

Clubs/Organizations: Community Service Officer at UAPD, Vice President of the College of Fine Arts Ambassador Program.

Leisure Pursuits: I enjoy going on Police Ride-Alongs on my time off to hear from officers who are serving their community. I always leave the ride-alongs even more excited to learn more about law enforcement! I also like to go four-wheeling and I love to travel.

Research Projects:  I am currently working on my honors thesis with Elizabeth George with the dance department. My focus for the project is to bring awareness to law enforcement. I am excited to see how dance can help me bring this to light.

Plans after graduation: I plan on applying to become a police officer.

FOCUS QUESTIONS

What has been your favorite Honors course or experience that you have been involved with?

I did an honors contract for the Police Community Relations class instructed by Tucson Police Department Lieutenant Hand and I was able to speak with various employees at Tucson Police Department for an even deeper understanding of community policing. I would like to say that this class had such a wonderful impact on me as community policing is something that is very important.

What is something you have done during your time at the University of Arizona of which you are especially proud?

As a Community Service Officer, I am able to work alongside officers in the field. I am learning a lot and connecting with the campus community in a way I would have never imagined possible. This will be a position that I will be forever grateful for as a student being able to work so closely with people who inspire me! This position has created a passion that I have now and I hope to become a police officer after graduation.

What message do you have for other Honors students on finding their own success?

Go for it! You’ve got this. Try not to second guess yourself. You’re capable of anything if you devote yourself and your time to something. Also, try to make professional relationships with people in your career field. Your passion will grow even stronger.

ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE

"Christina is a double major (dance, criminal justice). Through her criminal justice coursework, Christina became interested in how community engagement can have a role in policing and pursued hands-on experiences to better learn about police responses. After participating in a ride-a-long, she made a connection to the Tucson Police Department and asked if she could turn one of her courses into a service-learning course. During her service-learning experience, she shadowed and interviewed many members of the department and found the community relations lead most inspiring. This led her to her current position in UAPD. She manages a 15-hour work week on top of her top commitment in dance. Due to COVID-19, her dance courses have shifted dramatically and she has to make an extra effort to be ready for her life after being a student. Despite the double major, she plans to graduate in three years. She is involved in her local community, participated in on-campus Filipino club so she could better know her roots, and actively attends UCity college fellowship. I am in awe of all she balances."

– Dr. Lysette Davi, Director, Honors Online and Experiential Learning, W.A. Franke Honors College 

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