Class of 2023 Spotlights: Kalani Lopez
When Kalani Lopez took first place at CSULB’s 35th Annual Student Research Competition earlier this semester, she said that she was both excited and surprised. Kalani graduates this month with her Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice, yet she started out as a Pre-Nursing student.
Kalani took the CRJU 101: Criminal Justice System in Society class with Professor Maryanne Diaz and began to feel right at home.
“I had always loved listening to crime podcasts and watching true crime shows,” Kalani said.
She switched majors and in just a short time, has become a superstar in the School of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Emergency Management (CCJEM).
During her time at CSULB, Kalani, who double-majored in Psychology, has been very active on campus and is involved with the Criminal Justice Student Association (CJSA). She applied for a research position with CCJEM Director Dr. Christine Scott-Hayward and applied for and received an ORED Summer Student Research Assistantship to work with Dr. Scott-Hayward and Dr. Dina Perrone on their GUIDES evaluation -- working on an application evaluation for a new mobile app being developed for police officers in Long Beach.
“The app is intended to be downloaded on patrol officers’ work phones to help them connect the mentally ill and homeless population in Long Beach to different services,” Kalani explained.
The app is being funded and spearheaded by Long Beach City Prosecutor Doug Haubert. Kalani’s role in the project was helping Dr. Scott-Hayward conduct focus groups with officers about using the new app. Kalani assisted in documenting the survey results and data analysis for the app.
Her presentation at the Student Research Competition included information on how the new app could be a gamechanger in policing segments of the population struggling with homelessness or mental illness.
“There is a specific mental health trained officer, and the way it works now is if a patrol officer encounters someone who needs to be connected to a service, you have to call that officer.”
The app is designed to streamline this by giving every patrol officer on duty the capability of connecting someone with a homeless or mental health service.
At the end of April, Kalani also placed first in her session at the CSU Statewide Research Competition held in San Diego.
“I’ve taken research classes, but it was really helpful to see how the research operates practically in the criminal justice system and to get that real world experience,” Kalani said. “And I’ve had great mentors who have helped me get to where I am today, like Dr. Scott-Hayward and Dr. Dina Perrone.”
Kalani continues to rack up the awards, as she will be presented with three honors at the CCJEM annual banquet held at the end of the semester. The first is the Promising Scholar Award, which is granted to an undergraduate student who shows promise for pursuing an advanced degree or Ph.D., demonstrating excellence in research projects through collecting original data and which is presented at an academic conference. She will also be receiving the Outstanding Student Citation and the Jeannie L. Eisentraut Award, which is given annually to the Outstanding Female Graduate.
Kalani said she is excited to come back to The BEACH to pursue her Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
“Kalani is an outstanding student, and I am very proud of all that she has accomplished over the last few years,” Dr. Christine Scott-Hayward said. “We are all very excited that she has chosen to continue her academic career as an M.S. student in the School [here at CSULB].”
“I really love criminology, so I’m looking forward to still being here,” she said.
On the side, Kalani loves theatre and helps direct plays at her former high school in Torrance.
“I like to stay busy -- I’ve been working since I was a freshman. It’s just good to know that I realized I am in the right place with all that I’m doing.”
