UCM CJ Student from Greenwood Honored for Research on Gangs

Setting an example for students and professionals who aspire to conducting exceptional research,  University of Central Missouri student Pricila Avila displays the award certificate she recently received from the National Gang Crime Research Center. 

WARRENSBURG, MO – As a second-year graduate student in the University of Central Missouri’s Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Pricila Avila’s dedication to strong academics and scholarly research paid off recently by earning her national recognition for superior efforts in gang research.

An alumnus from Greenwood, Missouri, Avila is seeking a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology at UCM. She was honored as the recipient of the Frederick Milton Thrasher Award, presented by the National Gang Crime Research Center (NGCRC) during the organization's 26th International Gang Specialist Training Conference in Chicago, Illinois, July 31-Aug. 2.

According to UCM Professor of Criminal Justice Gregg Etter, Ph.D., the conference was attended by 543 criminal justice and criminology professionals and four students, two of whom were from UCM. Avila was the only graduate student to receive recognition.

The Thrasher Award was established in 1992 to honor and recognize superior scholarship, leadership, accomplishments and service contributions by individuals and by programs in dealing with public safety issues such as those posed by gangs.  Although the award to students is rare, Avila became the third UCM student since 2007 to be recognized by the NGCRC, following previously honored CJ alumnae Hillary McNeel and Stacy Pottorff. 

Etter, who has been accompanying students to this national event since 2007, praised Avila and other students for their professional conduct and the positive way they continue to represent UCM at events that draw professionals throughout the nation. He said it is not usual for students to connect with law enforcement personnel who offer jobs and other professional networking invitations after meeting them at conferences. Award recognition doesn’t go unnoticed by these individuals who represent law enforcement institutions across the United States and beyond and may be considered for the same award.

“There are some serious players in this group. It’s very, very hard for students to win this award,” Etter said. “Our graduate students work hard and are doing a good job.”   

Avila expressed her gratitude for national recognition and stated that she was proud to be the first Hispanic student at UCM to receive this award. She has a strong passion for research in her field, and plans to graduate in December 2023. Along with her M.S., she is earning a graduate certificate in Terrorism and Homeland Security. Avila previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Spanish from UCM.

Adding to her UCM experience, Avila currently serves as a graduate assistant in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, and is a member of UCM’s American Criminal Justice Association/Lambda Alpha Epsilon (ACJA/LAE) competitive criminal justice team, which in spring 2023 captured its 20th consecutive national championship.

Avila has a strong record of academic excellence. She captured first place in the graduate division in the academic poster competition that took place in fall 2022 during the ACJA/LAE Region III Competition. She also finished first in the graduate division of the 2022/23 seventh annual Middle Tennessee State University Virtual Poster Competition.

As the result of her participation and training at both the 25th and 26th International Gang Specialist Training Conferences, Avila has received certification as an Intermediate level Gang Specialist by the National Gang Crime Research Center.    

Etter said UCM graduate students Mackenzie Williams and Avila were involved in presentations at the NGCRC related to topics such as Albanian Organized Crime and Human Organ Trafficking. Some of these discussions lasted up to two hours.