KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Applause rang out as Michigan State Police recognized Dr. Ashlyn Kuersten and the student of the WMU Cold Case Program with MSP, and marked the start of a new initiative that will enable the students in the program to be paid by MSP for their work, and work alongside MSP members as police cadets or student assistants at an MSP office.
'There's certainly been cases solved that have been out there for decades, it really impacts victim families that have lingered for decades. So that's just fantastic," said MSP Captain Michael Brown of the 5th District, highlighting the work that the students of the program have accomplished.
The program lets students gain training in forensics, law and criminal investigation while working alongside and assisting detectives in solving cases in Michigan that have gone cold.
"It's a hybrid, but they're going to be paid for the work that they do on the cold case program and various state police posts," said Brown as he described the new initiative, which will involve students working at a MSP location up to four hours a week in addition to their work in the Cold Case Program.
"I personally would say that it's the best opportunity of a lifetime," said Shelby Wilmot, a student in the program.
Students from the program have already solved two cold cases: the 1988 murder of 19-year-old Cathy Swartz from Three Rivers, Michigan and the 1987 murder investigation of Roxanne Wood. The students and Dr. Ashlyn Kuersten, the director of the program, were all able to walk on stage to receive applause and recognition from state police.
"MSP and Dr. K have been the backbone of this program. So it's been phenomenal," said student Kelli Sanji when asked to describe her experience.
Dr. Kuersten became emotional as her students were recognized, saying she is happy for the financial assistance the initiative will bring to her students, who she says already work so hard to provide for themselves.
"It made me cry. So many of my students are from low income environments, and all of my students have part time jobs to pay their tuition and their rent. So to know that these students are now on the payroll at MSP, not only are they going to make incredible contacts that they'll use throughout their lifetime, but now they can focus on their coursework, of course, but also the cases," said Dr. Kuersten.
The students are looking forward to continuing their work of bringing closure to families that is long overdue.
"My future goal for careers is hopefully a career MSP. So this is a great way to get like my foot in the door to network, meet new people work really hard to show him that this is a career for me," said student Sydney Martin.
"My students job is to help victims' family members of course find some closure, but they they are also there to make the detectives lives easier," added Dr. Kuersten as she described the work of the students.
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