Alumni Spotlight: Josie Lott

Hometown: Chillicothe, Oho

Graduation Year: 2017

Major: Bachelor of Criminal Justice (BCJ)

Current Position: Case Manager, Ross County Adult Probation Department

What do you do in your current role?

I help adult felony probationers by assessing their risk level (risk of reoffending). I do this by administering the Ohio Risk Assessment. Once a probationer’s risk level is determined, my job is to create a case plan for the areas of that assessment that tested moderate to high in order to help prevent the probationer from reoffending. Another service that I provide to probationers is assistance in obtaining their GED. Overall, the goal of my job is to help deter probationers from reoffending by helping them obtain the knowledge and tools needed to become a positive contribution to society.

Why did you choose Ohio University?

When I graduated high school I remained undecided in what major I wanted to pursue. I started taking basic classes at Ohio University Chillicothe because it was centrally located between my work and home and the tuition was affordable. During my second year at Ohio University Chillicothe, I decided to pursue the BCJ program due to my interest in the field of criminal justice.

How has you criminal justice major served you?

My degree allowed me to gain real-world experience by opening doors to different job opportunities. After graduating I obtained a job as a fraud investigator for the Highland County Department of Job and Family Services. In this position I was able to build upon my studies by conducting actual investigations and pursuing criminal charges against individuals who participated in welfare fraud. When I decided to look for a job closer to home, I was able to pursue my current position as a case manager for the Ross County Adult Probation Department because I held the BCJ degree

What experiences and skills led you to your current position?

My BCJ taught me many skills that have proved to be useful in my current position. These skills include knowledge of narcotics, court procedures, constitution/criminal law, and the research behind why individuals participate in criminal behavior.

What advice do you have for current students?

During your first week of classes copy all the due dates from your course syllabi onto a monthly planner. It is a lot easier to keep track of the upcoming assignments that are due when they are all in one planner. This is something I learned very quickly during my first week as a student at Ohio University Chillicothe.